Evander Kane vs. Matt Cooke

[psh 25]

I'm not a big fan of fights, but tonight's "fight" was as satisfying as the fight a few years ago when Sean Avery went after Darcy Hordichuck then turned and sprinted away from him, dropped to his knees and covered his head.

Cooke goes after Kane, takes two punches, and falls down unconscious. It was Kane's first fight in the NHL and he had the class to hold on to Cooke's jersey as he fell so that he didn't hit his head on the ice. If only Cooke had a fraction of that class. What stark contrast to Don Cherry's montage of Cooke's career of knee on knees and elbows to heads.

A suggestion to NHL rink managers. If the league isn't going to rein these guys in, why don't you get footage of these fights and play them on your Jumbotrons whenever the Rangers and Pens visit your arenas? It will fire up the crowd. More importantly, the cowardice, classlessness, and lack of respect these guys represent should haunt them wherever they go, and confronting them with this footage would be a nice step in that direction.

[mik3 1]

He held his jersey 'cause he was throwing that second punch, not 'cause he didn't want him to hit his head, just sayin'.

[camhockey16 5]

He held his jersey 'cause he was throwing that second punch, not 'cause he didn't want him to hit his head, just sayin'.

+1 agreed, he was holding on to his jersey so he could land a second punch on the way down - not because of "class"

i think cooke didnt realize kane has a pretty long reach - and kane won the fight pure and simple. he thought he had a guy that was his size that he could "go with" but turned out it wasnt such a great choice

[Chadd 916]

+1 agreed, he was holding on to his jersey so he could land a second punch on the way down - not because of "class"

Cooke would have hit him two or three more times once he was down if their positions were reversed.

[camhockey16 5]

Cooke would have hit him two or three more times once he was down if their positions were reversed.

i agree cooke probably would have done the same thing - he is no angel - i guess he found out what karma means

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Kid Kane's first fight was against Deryk Engelland of the Penguins earlier this season.

[furlanitalia 1]

Either way his dad was a professional boxer, I'm sure he knows how to throw them.

[noodle3872 40]

Evander rocking Cooke

Talk about a solid punch!!! WOW!

[Habs21 0]

Wow, I can't even express how awesome that was!

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Might be the best thing I've seen in a while. 1:30 mark makes my day.

[Too Old 1]

Got what he deserved in a clean fight too. Not like his cheapshots. I loved it.

[mug25 2]

Wow, I can't even express how awesome that was!

To say the least. Karma FTW

[Chadd 916]

Got what he deserved in a clean fight too. Not like his cheapshots. I loved it.

If he got what he deserved, he's never play another NHL game.

[mug25 2]

If he got what he deserved, he's never play another NHL game.

Theres been far worse than Cooke in the NHL but I wont disagree with your post. Heck, if that's the case Bertuzzi should've been banned from ever putting on a pair of ice skates in his life.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

[HattrickSwayze 3]

That picture and video just made my whole week. Cooke is such a turd, I'm glad someone finally knocked him out.

[mack 44]

Well there's another aspect of hockey that Matt Cooke is horrible at. We'll add that to the list.

[Law Goalie 147]

If he got what he deserved, he'll never play another NHL game.

Too right -- and Evander Kane just became one of my favourite players.

I'm having visions of a Kane Thrashers' jersey with a Matt Cooke RIP armband...

The best part: Kane didn't say a word, raise an arm, anything. He just went to his corner - well, box - and waited for some water and a towel.

[RadioGaGa 162]

According to part of John Andersons post game comments:

Cooke was only going after Kane because he hit Crosby. Clean hit, legal hit. So, if Cooke isn't into the whole "frontier justice" bullshti that has taken over the NHL...it never happens. I know you have to protect the stars...but you have to protect them from guys like Cooke. Kane is a solid 2-way guy who doesn't take cheap shots.

Not saying that I don't think Cooke got what he deserved and Karma is a bitch...

But...why go after a guy for a clean hit. It's so stupid.

[tamtamg 12]

that pic made me smile.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

that pic made me smile.

I'm a huge Penguins fan and a pretty big Thrashers fan and that pic made me smile. Plus I know the guy who took it. I'm gonna try to get a pic of it blow it up and have Kane sign it.

[furlanitalia 1]

Wow great timing on that picture. It's funny how last year Kane was the talk of the town and now I rarely hear anything about him (being from Vancouver and all). Avoiding a sophomore slump he should only get better

[vek 0]

I imagine that Savard must have enjoyed that one.

Its too bad about Atlanta. Some lucky city is going to get a team with a really good core of young talent.

[bheidepr 0]

I thought it was pretty classy of Kane to tap the baords when Cooke skated off. Nice to see that level of respect from a young player

[BobbyD9 0]

That picture ROCKS!!! Might have to order a Kane jersey now!!!!