  Matt Cooke has been suspended four games by the National Hockey League without pay. (Eric Bolte/QMI AGENCY) |
TORONTO -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke was suspended four games by the National Hockey League without pay on Wednesday, for an incident with Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin.
Cooke checked Tyutin from behind in the early stages of Pittsburgh's 4-1 loss on Tuesday, earning him a major for charging.
"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision: Cooke delivered a forceful hit from behind on an unsuspecting opponent; also, he is considered a repeat offender under the League's supplemental discipline rules," said NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell.
Since Cooke had been suspended previously, he was docked $87,804.88 in salary based on the number of games in the season, rather than the number of days. The 32-year-old was given a two-game ban in November, 2009 for a hit to the head of the Rangers' Artem Anisimov.
He will not be eligible to return until February 20 when Pittsburgh takes on Chicago.
