Fansided

Matt Cooke Issues Statement on Tyson Barrie Hit (Video)

By Tasha St. Pierre

Jan 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke (24) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Wild 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke (24) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Wild 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke (24) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Wild 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke (24) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Wild 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke speaks for the first time since his collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie that will cause Barrie to miss 4-6 weeks.

The series between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche is all tied up at two. Unfortunately, when the Wild roll into the Pepsi Center on Saturday, both teams will be missing a player.

On Monday, in Game 3 of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke collided with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie resulting in knee on knee contact between the two players; contact that sent Barrie flying to the ice.

Since the horrible collision, it has been announced that Barrie will be forced to miss 4-6 weeks with an MCL Injury in his left knee. At the same time, Cooke will be serving a 7 game suspension for his actions.

Now, we all know that the name Matt Cooke has become synonymous with dirty hits and suspensions; however, in 2011 Cooke seemed to turn over a new leaf. That is, until Monday. Still, Matt Cooke asserts that it was not his intent to injure Barrie on the hit.

"“First and foremost, I want to say that I am disappointed and sorry that Tyson Barrie cannot play for the Colorado Avalanche tonight. I wish he could. Unfortunately, it was not my intent to collide with him knee-on-knee. It was my intent to finish my check,” Cooke said in his statement."

Cooke certainly seemed sincere in his address; however, coming from someone with a history like his, it is kind of hard to simply right this off as a check gone wrong.

Take a look for yourself. Here is a look at Matt Cooke’s official statement courtesy of NHL.com.

What do you think of Cooke’s statement? Do you believe him when he says that it was not his intent to injure Barrie and that he was simply trying to finish his check, or do you think he is back to his old tricks? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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