Leafs winger goes absolutely ballistic on Mark Scheifele for classless move
Michael Bunting is well known around the NHL for his constant chirping during games. He often infuriates his opponents to the point of taking penalties in their attempts to shut him up. Typically, Bunting does so with a smile on his face, taunting anyone who will listen. During Thursday night's tilt against the Western Conference leading Jets, Bunting's usual smile was gone, replaced by a look of pure, unhinged rage.
During the third period, with the Leafs holding onto a slim lead, a shot from the point caught Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren in the head. Liljegren was clearly injured, dropping to the ice face down after the impact. The referees were quick to blow the play dead as the Leafs' medical staff attended to the downed Swede. Liljegren left the ice under his own power, but did not return to the game.
What enraged Bunting was the fact that while Liljegren was down, Jets winger Mark Scheifele decided that it was an appropriate to berate the referees for blowing the whistle too quickly.
The Scarborough native laid into Scheifele, unleashing a torrent of profanity at the top of his lungs. I have a strong feeling that if Bunting had been on the ice, he would have dropped the gloves for the second straight game.
This is why Bunting is so important to the Maple Leafs. It's abundantly clear that he is happy to stand up for his teammates at any time it is needed. He is exactly the type of person I want to see on the ice, and exactly the type of person that the Leafs need in their dressing room. In the end, the Leafs got the last laugh. Scheifele was embarrassed by Matthews on his first goal, and was pick pocketed by Marner on his short-handed goal. I hope the 60 friends Scheifele bought tickets for enjoyed watching their friend cost his team the game. I know I did.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20 | 669 ANSWERS Leafs winger goes absolutely ballistic on Mark Scheifele for classless move What would you be willing to pay for Michael Bunting's extension? | ||
| $2.5-$3 Million | 153 | 22.9 % |
| $3-$3.5 Million | 219 | 32.7 % |
| $3.5-$4 Million | 152 | 22.7 % |
| Whatever it takes, we need him | 145 | 21.7 % |
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