Photo credit: NHL
Brad Marchand is known for his trolling tactics on ice, and during the 1st period of Game 6 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, we got to see Marchand in his little ball of hate form.
While trying to make a line change, he ran into a lineman and instead of going around him he shoved him out of the way, in front of the Bruins bench.
The officials would choose not to penalize Brad Marchand, despite it being a clear violation of NHL rule 40.1. The Game would move on unimpeded and the Maple Leafs would secure a win 2-1, pushing the series to Game 7 in Boston.
40.1 Game Misconduct – Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official, in any manner attempts to injure an official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty.
Fans were sure Marchand, the repeat offender would receive supplemental discipline as a result of the play. The altercation occurred soon after Marchand had been pulled away like a rabid dog from Tyler Bertuzzi.
This was a clear violation of rule 40.1.
I40.4 Automatic Suspension – Category III – Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an official or physically threatens an official by (but not limited to) throwing a stick or any other piece of equipment or object at or in the general direction of an official, shooting the puck at or in the general direction of an official, spitting at or in the general direction of an official, or who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than three (3) games.
The Official Ruling Has Came Out:
It’s officially after 5 pm and it’s clear the NHL won’t be issuing any supplemental discipline for his shove on the linesman. This is a clear violation of rule 40.1, but the league has decided to ignore it.
Gary Bettman and the league continue to reach new lows, as the NHL has set a new precedent refusing to protect their officials on ice. The league has fined multiple coaches and players but ignored Marchand’s history in regards to this play.
Seems inconsistent.
