Brad Marchand was on a roll again.
Brad Marchand arouses strong emotions in hockey fans. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
NHL star Brad Marchand garners headlines not only with his playing skills, but also with his highly questionable antics in the rink.
The Boston Bruins captain’s trick in last night’s NHL round against the Buffalo Sabers falls into the latter category.
Marchand crashed the Sabres’ Finnish pack Henri Jokiharjun reverse with a hybrid combination of a tackle and a leg crank.
The act was classic Marchand. No one can directly say that the act was outrageous or even intentional, but sliding his right foot into the path of Jokiharju’s skates and dodging with his upper body sent the Finn flying.
The jury gave Marchand a two-minute ice time for grappling. Despite this, the mouths of the exasperated Buffalo players were talking at halftime to the point that Marchand had had enough.
The Canadian player who was skating towards the ice box suddenly turned around, trying to head towards Jokiharju. The judges did not tolerate this. Marchand was nailed to the ice by no less than two referees and the situation calmed down.
Buffalo eventually won the match 3–1.
At X, the fans’ opinion of Marchand was clear.
– He should be banned forever from the NHL.
– What else can you expect from him?
– I wonder how someone hasn’t already ended his career.
– I appreciate the body tackle of the judges.