The Boston Bruins suffered a disastrous 4-2 loss to the Penguins Tuesday night, in which they saw themselves lose Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, before losing Tuukka Rask to retirement the day after.
Brad Marchand suspended six games
The Bruins will be without Marchand for their next six contests after his late-game dramatic outburst against Triston Jarry. The video and the quote below describe the play:
“After the whistle sounds and play comes to a halt, Marchand steps around the referee and delivers a gloved punch to the head of the unsuspecting goaltender knocking him to the ice and setting off a scrum.
“Marchand is restrained by a linesman, who attempts to escort him off the ice. As Marchand is being escorted toward the dressing room, he fights toward through the grasp of the linesman, pushes towards Jarry again, and delivers a sharp jab to the head and neck area with his stick. On this play, Marchand is guilty of two violations that warrant supplemental discipline: roughing and high sticking.”
Marchand likely wouldn’t have had a six-game penalty if it wasn’t for his resume of suspensions. He’s been suspended seven times and has been fined five — this year’s additions to the resume prior to his outburst vs. Pittsburgh include a three-game suspension for slew-footing.
“Lack of discipline obviously on Brad’s part,” said Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy. I just watched the replay. It looks like some words were exchanged. I don’t know if there was an incident at the end of the second period that precipitated that. I was in the room. Still, you have to have better discipline. Brad’s a leader on our team. He needs to control his emotions in that situation.”
The Boston forward will miss a series of crucial affairs, being out now against the Hurricanes Thursday, as well as games against the Rangers and Islanders. Marchand will also miss a pair of games against the Senators and the suspension is ended with him missing February 21st’s matchup vs. the league-best Avalanche.
Patrice Bergeron misses practice Wednesday, won’t play Thursday vs. Hurricanes
After missing practice Wednesday, Bergeron won’t play Thursday night against Carolina. The forward was hit awkwardly Tuesday night against Pittsburgh and left the game with an upper-body injury.
The two team captains, Penguins All-Star Sidney Crosby, and Bergeron collided skate-to-skate in the third period Tuesday, sprawling Bergeron backward. Bergeron’s leg landed rather awkwardly while his head and shoulder slammed hard into the boards.
The captain got up on his own power but left immediately after skating to the bench — not returning to the action.
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Boston is now without their captain in Bergeron, their leading scorer in Marchand (49 points, 21 goals), and their Stanley Cup-winning goalie in Rask.
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