NHL: Brad Marchand Must Stop Licking Opponents
BOSTON (CBS) – The NHL has apparently seen enough of Brad Marchand's tongue.
Several times this season, the Bruins forward has been involved in kissing and licking incidents on the ice. The latest came Friday night when the notorious instigator licked Tampa Bay winger Ryan Callahan after the whistle.
BRAD IS AT IT AGAIN. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/idE04bYoNb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2018
"All I'm going to say is there is absolutely no place in our game for that. I don't get it, I don't understand it, I don't," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said after Tampa's overtime win. "How would you feel if I walked over to you right now and gave you one big lick? Right from the chin all the way up. There's just no place in the game for that."
On Saturday, The NHL issued a statement that it has spoken with Marchand and Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney. Marchand's licking days appear to be over.
NHL's Colin Campbell spoke with Boston's Brad Marchand and GM Don Sweeney today. The League put the player on notice that his actions last night are unacceptable and similar behavior in the future will be dealt with by way of supplemental discipline.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2018
A report came out earlier in the postseason that the NHL had stepped in, though Marchand called it "false." This time, however, the league confirmed it is involved.
The NHL is finally ready to give Marchand a tongue-lashing for his antics. Fans will find out on Sunday if the warning was enough when the Bruins try to stave off elimination in Game 5.