Brad Marchand has a surprising reaction to Sam Bennett sucker punch
Boston Bruins' captain Brad Marchand opens up to the media about being on the wrong end of a sucker punch from Sam Bennett in Game 3.
Odds are that if you're not a fan of the Bruins, there's a really good chance you're not a fan of Brad Marchand. He's as controversial as they come, he's been on the wrong side of the law several times, but he's also gotten away with a lot more.
In game 3 of their second round series against the Florida Panthers, Marchand went down in a heap after a collision with Panthers' forward Sam Bennett. Upon further review, Bennett looked to have extended himself and landed a sucker punch that forced Marchand out of the game and subsequently the following 2 games of the series.
The NHL did not fine or suspend Bennett and in a weird turn of events, the most damning angle of the play wasn't released until 2 days after the fact. While Marchand definitely has a reason or two to be unhappy he opened up to the media earlier today about the incident:
Not onlydid Marchand admit that he felt like Bennett got away with one, but he also said the quiet part out loud, admitting that players intentionally try to injure one another in the playoffs all the time.
This year's post-season action in particular has been relatively strange because of the lack of consistency from the referees and the NHL as well. Suspensions are being handed out at random, fines are being levied left, right, and centre, and there's an extra layer of aggression and physicality that has endangered a lot of the league's top players - at least compared to years past.
Playoff hockey is a different breed compared to the regular season and the aggressiveness is kicked up a notch but plays like Bennett sucker punching Marchand is still out of line and should be reprimanded consistently.
The Bruins are hoping that Marchand can suit up for Game 6 on Friday night as they look to stave off elimination and force a Game 7.
| POLL | ||
MAI 16 | 332 ANSWERS Brad Marchand has a surprising reaction to Sam Bennett sucker punch Did Sam Bennett get away with a cheap shot? | ||
| Absolutely, the evidence is as blatant as can be | 207 | 62.3 % |
| No, that's playoff hockey | 125 | 37.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
