Most Bruins fans don't like Matt Cooke. In fact, most NHL fans don't like Matt Cooke.
But although the Penguins forward has gained a reputation as a player who likes to, well, bend the rules a little bit, fans in Pittsburgh have still come to appreciate his gritty style of play.
Cooke shot a puck from near the pitcher's mound before Monday's Altoona Curve game. The Altoona Curve are the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In addition to delighting the fans in attendance, Cooke spoke with the the Altoona Mirror while at Blair County Ballpark, during which he said that he doesn't consider himself to be an enforcer.
Cooke was suspended for the final 10 games of the regular season and the first round of playoffs for elbowing Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in the head.
Bruins fans, of course, remember Cooke for his blow to the head of Marc Savard, which has caused the B's forward to miss significant time already and has put his career in jeopardy.
Cooke has promised to change his controversial ways, though, which he elaborated on in an interview with Joe Starkey and Josh Miller on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.
"I hurt my teammates last year and I know that," he said. "I fully intend to make it up to them this year."
Check out the video below of Cooke's "first shot" on Monday.
