The NHL suspended Boston’s Brad Marchand six games Wednesday night for roughing and high-sticking Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry late in the third period on Tuesday night. It is his eighth career suspension and second this season.
Marchand punched Jarry and then shoved his stick blade at the Pittsburgh Penguin goalie’s mask — earning him a match penalty and automatic suspension pending review.
Marchand was suspended for three games earlier this season for what was deemed a slew-foot on Vancouver’s Oliver Ekman-Larson.
Jarry was not hurt in the scuffle and another player without Marchand’s history might get away with a fine. But what is not debatable is that he showed some seriously bad judgment. There were only 24 seconds left in a game that the Penguins had just salted away with an empty-net goal.
And Marchand’s suspension comes at a particularly difficult time.
Captain Patrice Bergeron left Tuesday’s game in the third period after colliding with Sidney Crosby and hitting his head into the boards. Bergeron, who has a well-documented history of concussions, did not return to the game and did not take the ice for the Bruins’ practice on Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena and will not play Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Bruins Coach Bruce Cassidy had called out Marchand’s lack of discipline immediately after the game and didn’t look at the incident any differently a day later.
“I don’t know if words were exchanged on the ice, but still, you shouldn’t go after the goaltender in that situation unless you’re pushed into the crease or he sticks you first, which I did not see,” said Cassidy. “March just has to have control of his emotions in that situation. Live to fight another day and get ready for the next game. Unfortunately, it got the best of him.”
Jarry did give Charlie Coyle a whack before the whistle, and Cassidy didn’t rule out that being the catalyst to Marchand’s meltdown.
“Maybe it did. I didn’t see all of that happen,” said Cassidy.
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