NHL makes controversial decision on Mason Marchment's blindside hit on Jake McCabe
Late in the second period of last night's game against the Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe went into the corner to play a loose puck. After playing the puck he was blindsided by former Leaf Mason Marchment with a late, dirty hit. The hit left the ususpecting McCabe bloodied with a cut on his nose that required stitches. McCabe was furious with officials as he yelled at them during the rest of his shift and continued to scorn them from the bench after slamming his stick against the boards in frustration. Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe was also unimpressed mouthing some inappropriate words towards officials.
Following the game, Keefe was asked about the play and what officials told him as to why it was not called.
Mitch Marner was also asked about the play following the game and called it as "mind-boggling" that there was no penalty called. William Nylander meanwhile, echoed his coach's thoughts.
Keefe was also asked for his opinion on how McCabe handled the situation and had nothing but praise for the defenseman.
McCabe was able to finish the game without issue and punished Marchment as often as he could when the two were on the ice together, including landing a big hit of his own on the Stars forward in the third period. While there was no penalty on the play, Marchment was fined this afternoon by the NHL the maximum allowable under the CBA, which was a mere $5K. McCabe will have a few days to let his nose heal as the Leafs don't return to action until Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 8 | 666 ANSWERS NHL makes controversial decision on Mason Marchment's blindside hit on Jake McCabe Should Marchment have been suspended for his late, blindside hit on Jake McCabe? | ||
| Yes, ugly hit | 567 | 85.1 % |
| No, routine hit | 39 | 5.9 % |
| Too close to call | 60 | 9 % |
| List of polls | ||
