BREAKING: Minnesota Wild Grinder Matt Cooke Suspended Seven Games

Mar 22, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke (24) on the bench against the Detroit Red Wings at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

#CookeWatch is officially over.

This evening, the NHL announced that Minnesota Wild grinder Matt Cooke has been suspended seven games for his knee-on-knee hit to Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie.

Per NHL.com:

"NEW YORK -– Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cooke has been suspended seven games for kneeing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie during Game Three of the teams’ First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs series in St. Paul on Monday, April 21, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.If the term of the suspension is not fully served during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the remaining games will be served at the beginning of the 2014-15 regular season.The incident occurred at 2:02 of the second period. Cooke was assessed a minor penalty for kneeing."

Here’s the league’s video explanation:

In the meantime, youngster Nino Niederreiter has taken his place as third line left wing. Game Four of Minnesota’s 2014 quarterfinal series against the Avalanche is set for puck drop tomorrow night at 8:30 PM Central Time in St. Paul. The Avalanche lead the series 2-1.