Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has received a warning from the NHL about licking the faces of his opponents.
Colin Campbell, the league’s executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, spoke with Marchand and Bruins general manager Don Sweeney on Saturday.
According to the NHL, Campbell put Marchand on notice that his actions are unacceptable and similar behaviour in the future will lead to supplemental discipline.
Marchand licked the face of Tampa Bay forward Ryan Callahan in the second period of Friday night’s 4-3 overtime victory by the Lightning, prompting the warning from the NHL.
“I don’t know what the difference is between that and spitting in someone’s face,” Callahan said.
In Game 1 of Boston’s first-round series against the Maple Leafs, Marchand licked the neck of Toronto forward Leo Komarov.
“He keeps trying to get close to me. I don’t know if he has a thing for me or what, but he’s cute,” said Komarov at the time.
Since Friday’s game, people have had mixed reviews over Marchand’s actions.
Next time Brad Marchand goes to lick someone pic.twitter.com/iH6GEAVP5M
— debrusk (@TheBruwins) May 5, 2018
Hmmm…the mainstream hockey media has chosen to make a MASSIVE deal about Marchand’s kisses/licks but still fail to recognize the incredibly one-sided officiating in the Bruins/Lightning series.
🤔🤔🤔
— Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards) May 5, 2018
Marchand licking people really has to be stopped
— Caitlyn Golem 🏒⚾🏋️ (@CaitlynGolem) May 5, 2018
If the NHL is going continue to let Brad Marchand lick his opponents without consequence – an unsportsmanlike penalty or fine – may I suggest they remove the instigator penalty so the players can handle this situation internally. The game is better than this. 🤦🏻♀️
— Leah Hextall (@leahhextall) May 5, 2018
The Canadian Press
