Wild's Matt Cooke Gets 7-Game Suspension From NHL

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke has been suspended for seven games by the NHL for a knee-to-knee hit that injured Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie.

Cooke was at the league office in New York on Wednesday for a hearing about the incident, and his punishment was announced about eight hours later.

The Avalanche lead 2-1 with Game 4 set for Thursday night, so Cooke will be out for the series and more. He played a key part in Game 3 for the Wild in quieting Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon, Paul Stastny and Gabe Landeskog.

Cooke was given a minor penalty for clipping Barrie, who will need four to six weeks to recover from a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee.

By Dave Campbell, AP Sports Writer (© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)