Cooke won’t be punished over Karlsson’s injury

The NHL has reviewed Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke‘s hit on Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson and determined that it’s not a punishable offense, according to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch. Ultimately, the NHL didn’t see any intent on the part of Cooke.

The incident occurred in the third period of Pittsburgh’s 4-2 victory over Ottawa on Wednesday. Cooke’s skate caught Karlsson’s leg and the 22-year-old blueliner was forced to leave the game with a lacerated Achilles tendon.

Karlsson will require surgery and might miss the remainder of the Senators’ season.

Matt Cooke painted the incident as an accident, but Senators GM Bryan Murray didn’t seem convinced.

“It’s Matt Cooke. What else should I say?” Murray said. “Watch the replay.”

You can watch the replay below:

Forward Jason Spezza is also sidelined indefinitely and might be done for the season. Spezza and Karlsson were Ottawa’s top two scorers in 2011-12.

Related:

Cooke on Karlsson hit: ‘I didn’t even know what happened’

Ottawa GM Murray: ‘It’s Matt Cooke. What else should I say?’

Senators’ Karlsson needs surgery, out indefinitely