Wild's Matt Cooke suspended seven games for kneeing

Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie leaves the ice after being injured in Game 3 vs. the Wild.  (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

The NHL suspended Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cooke seven games for kneeing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie during Game Three of the teams' first round playoff series, the league announced Wednesday.

The infraction occurred in Monday's game at 2:02 of the second period and Cooke was assessed a minor penalty for kneeing. Barrie suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee and will miss four to six weeks.

If the term of the suspension is not fully served during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the remaining games will be served at the beginning of the 2014-15 regular season, the league said.

The Avalanche lost the game 1-0 in overtime and lead the best-of-seven-series two games to one.