[bluef0x]

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the instigator penalty is called less often in the 3rd period because of the new rule brought in that calls for a mandatory suspension + fine of the player + fine of the coach for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of a game.

my guess is that if it's as egregious as you say, they might go ahead and do that anyway.

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I believe both players have to drop the gloves and engage for it to be an instigator as well. In this case, gloves weren't dropped by everyone- so an instigator can't be called (which is retarded IMO). Cooke will receive a 10-game suspension for being the first player over and be fined the maximum allowed under the CBA. The team will be fined $10,000 (big deal) and the Coach might be suspended/fined $10,000.

Cooke was a healthy scratch in the previous Canucks game. The coach told him he needed to play his game and be an agitator to get back in the lineup.... seems like a roughing penalty + the altercation was a bit much. Thornton stated what he thought of Cooke to the Vancouver media before tonight's game.