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Cooke: I didn’t intend to collide knee-on-knee with Barrie

Cooke

“First and foremost, I want to say that I’m disappointed and sorry that Tyson Barrie can’t play for the Colorado Avalanche tonight. I wish that he could.

“It was not my intent to collide with him knee-on-knee. It was my intent to finish my check. Playoffs area a hard and physical time, and it’s my job to be physical. I’ve led my team in hits in all three games, and it’s an intense time. I’ve led my team this year in hits, and in this series.

“Since March 20, 2011, I’ve been a changed player. I’ve approached the game differently. I think differently about the game. The stats that I’ve collected over those three seasons prove that I’m a changed player. And the plays that I make, and the plays that I don’t make, prove to that point as well.

“At the end of the day, this situation was not my intent.”

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