Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has received a warning from the NHL about licking the faces of his opponents.
Colin Campbell, the leaguesa国际传媒檚 executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, spoke with Marchand and Bruins general manager Don Sweeney on Saturday.
According to the NHL, Campbell put Marchand on notice that his actions are unacceptable and similar behaviour in the future will lead to supplemental discipline.
Marchand licked the face of Tampa Bay forward Ryan Callahan in the second period of Friday nightsa国际传媒檚 4-3 overtime victory by the Lightning, prompting the warning from the NHL.
sa国际传媒淚 donsa国际传媒檛 know what the difference is between that and spitting in someonesa国际传媒檚 face,sa国际传媒 Callahan said.
In Game 1 of Bostonsa国际传媒檚 first-round series against the Maple Leafs, Marchand licked the neck of Toronto forward Leo Komarov.
sa国际传媒淗e keeps trying to get close to me. I donsa国际传媒檛 know if he has a thing for me or what, but hesa国际传媒檚 cute,sa国际传媒 said Komarov at the time.
Since Fridaysa国际传媒檚 game, people have had mixed reviews over Marchandsa国际传媒檚 actions.
Next time Brad Marchand goes to lick someone
sa国际传媒 debrusk (@TheBruwins)
Hmmm...the mainstream hockey media has chosen to make a MASSIVE deal about Marchandsa国际传媒檚 kisses/licks but still fail to recognize the incredibly one-sided officiating in the Bruins/Lightning series.
sa国际传媒 Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards)
馃馃馃
Marchand licking people really has to be stopped
sa国际传媒 Caitlyn Golem 馃彃鈿攫煆嬶笍 (@CaitlynGolem)
If the NHL is going continue to let Brad Marchand lick his opponents without consequence - an unsportsmanlike penalty or fine - may I suggest they remove the instigator penalty so the players can handle this situation internally. The game is better than this. 馃う馃徎sa国际传媒嶁檧锔
sa国际传媒 Leah Hextall (@leahhextall)
The Canadian Press