Matt Cooke, known more for his sometimes devastating physical play rather than skills with the puck, scored a beautiful short-handed goal against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
The Minnesota Wild forward sped down the left side and wired a slap shot over the left shoulder of Calgary goalie Reto Berra and into the top corner. That counts as Cooke’s ninth of the season.
Of course, earlier in the game, he was the center of attention for some other activities on the ice. He caught Flames’ veteran forward Mike Cammalleri with an inadvertent high stick to the mouth just seconds after the opening faceoff, then through a crushing but late body check on TJ Brodie.
Chris Butler took issue, going right after Cooke and dropping the gloves. Cooke, however, did not oblige, keeping his gloves on. Both were assessed minor penalties - Cooke was called for interference for his hit on Brodie, and Butler for roughing.