NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke and New Jersey Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov each received multi-game suspensions from the NHL for unrelated dangerous hits, the league said on Wednesday.
Cooke hit Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin from behind and sent him face first into the glass during a game on Tuesday that resulted in a five-minute major penalty.
Cooke, who will also forfeit $87,804.88 in pay, will be eligible to return to Pittsburgh's lineup for their February 20 game at Chicago.
"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision: Cooke delivered a forceful hit from behind on an unsuspecting opponent; also, he is considered a repeat offender," NHL senior executive vice president Colin Campbell said in a statement.
Volchenkov will be eligible to return to action for New Jersey's February 18 game against the New York Rangers.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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