Possible Brad Marchand suspension incoming

 

Brad Marchand, the captain of the Boston Bruins, is fortunate to have survived Game 6, but he still faces a suspension for pushing an official.

Brad Marchand is a pretty good hockey player when he's not diving, slewfooting, slashing, spearing, elbowing, low-bridging, or licking his opponents. He appears to possess a unique ability to get away with blatant transgressions. In fact, despite hacking, slashing, and punching anything in blue and white, Marchand had not received even a minor penalty in the first three games of the Bruins' first-round series against the Leafs.

But in the opening frame of Game 6, Marchand managed to get away with what was maybe his greatest offence to date: shoving an official. 

Marchand is shoving refs now. 😄 #TORvBOS pic.twitter.com/X4xaNqEfkE

— Richie (@LeafsTattoos) May 3, 2024

 You would assume that this was biting the hand that feeds you, especially from a guy like Marchand. Then then, maybe he was seeking retribution for getting destroyed by a linesman during the previous game. Marchand should have been sent off the field as soon as he shoved the linesman, regardless of the circumstances. He would have if the NHL officials had been interested in following the rules in any way.

40.1 Game Misconduct – Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official, in any manner attempts to injure an official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty.<\q>