Tyler Bertuzzi has a surprising reaction to the fallout of laughing at Marchand's antics
The Toronto Maple Leafs' most recent loss to the Boston Bruins brought about a few interesting conversations, primarily about their team toughness, grit and willingness to stand up for one another. Several members of the media and the fan base alike were outraged by their lack of emotion and response to Brad Marchand's collision with Timothy Liljegren and his subsequent chirping tirade in front of the Leafs' bench.
Ryan Reaves was seemingly the only member of the Maple Leafs that was angry enough to respond to Marchand's incessant chirps but didn't do much else. Several marquee players were called out for either looking away, looking down at their skates, or in Tyler Bertuzzi's case, laughing.
Pundits like Jay Rosehill tore the Leafs apart for not responding and in turn called out the captain for his lack of emotion and players like Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi for not stepping up. When approached about the Marchand situation and because it was caught on camera that he was laughing/grinning, Bertuzzi kept it short and sweet:
"People can perceive that however they want, I'm not going to explain myself," Bertuzzi said about the exchange.
Bertuzzi has also been struggling offensively this season with just 3 points in 10 games and was most recently benched for the final 8.5 minutes of regulation and overtime. Sheldon Keefe called him out and said he needs to simplify his game, otherwise his spot on the top line, or even in the top-6 is tentative at best.
With the media in Toronto raising questions about the team after a 3-game losing streak, Bertuzzi has been under the spotlight over the past couple of days and understands that he needs to be better - plain and simple:
"Personally, I've got to be better, no excuses," Bertuzzi said following the team's morning skate ahead of their game against the Buffalo Sabres.
After shaking up the lines, Keefe put Bertuzzi back on the second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. They haven't given up on their prized summer acquisition - nor should they - as he is bound to bounce back from this early season slump:
"It's just another opportunity to prove myself," Bertuzzi said. "I just got to be better."
The Maple Leafs will have a chance to get back in the win column tonight when they play host to the Buffalo Sabres - who are coming off a 5-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers last night.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 4 | 576 ANSWERS Tyler Bertuzzi has a surprising reaction to the fallout of laughing at Marchand's antics What was your reaction to Tyler Bertuzzi laughing at Brad Marchand after the Liljegren injury? | ||
| Embarrassing | 183 | 31.8 % |
| He might have been laughing at Reaves' comment | 172 | 29.9 % |
| Don't care | 90 | 15.6 % |
| Get him off of this team | 131 | 22.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
