Simon Benoit Starts Public Beef with Ex-Leafs Winger Michael Bunting Over Embellishment
Simon Benoit is not a fan of former Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting's antics following 4-2 win over Pittsburgh in the home opener.
While the Leafs skated away with a hard-fought victory, a pair of penalties by Simon Benoit could have cost them the game. Benoit's first penalty led to a Kris Letang power-play goal to give the Penguins the lead in the first period. After the Leafs took a 3-1 lead early in the third period, Benoit and former Leaf Michael Bunting were engaged in a board battle that carried over to the front of the net where Benoit turned around to push Bunting. Sticks came up and although no contact was made, Benoit was given 2 minutes for high-sticking thanks to the embellishment from Bunting.
The Leafs killed off the penalty, but momentum could have shifted in a hurry had the Pens scored. Following the game, Benoit was asked about Bunting's antics and he had some not-so-kind words for the former fourth-round pick.
Bunting gained a reputation as someone that embellishes calls during his final season with the Leafs and it seemed to hurt the team during the playoffs. That reputation carried over to his short time in Carolina, before he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bunting plays a gritty game, as does Benoit, but there is no need to embellish on every bit of contact, especially after a hard battle along the boards. Clearly, Bunting's reputation is known league-wide now and it will be interesting to see just how long the officials let him get away with things before he stops getting calls again.
