Brad Marchand admits he may have crossed the line when he attacked Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry on Tuesday. Now punished for six games, the Boston Bruins forward has appealed his heavy suspension.
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The little plague tried to disturb the opposing goalkeeper the whole game. Marchand notably hit Jarry’s stick as he tried to deliver a puck to a fan and also punched him in the head late in the game.
“Was it stupid? Of course it was stupid, the 33-year-old told sports site The Athletic on Friday. I do not deny it. I absolutely shouldn’t have done that. But was it worth a suspension? I do not think so.”
According to Sportsnet, Marchand’s first appeal will be heard by National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner Gary Bettman. If he is not satisfied with the result, he can then appeal to an independent arbitrator.
“It’s a very, very heavy suspension for that. The only way I can justify it is in relation to history,” admitted Marchand.
The Bruins player is also the hockey player to have been suspended the most often in the history of the NHL. His eighth offense put him ahead of Chris Pronger.
All in all, Marchand does not intend to change his style of play. His agitating talents have frustrated players on the circuit since the 2009-2010 season, to the delight of Boston fans.
“I’m an emotional guy. I have always been. It will never change. This part of me will never change. I don’t want to change it because it makes me the player I am,” he said.
The left winger is also an important offensive cog for the Bruins. While serving the first game of his suspension, his team were humiliated 6-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. This season, Marchand leads his team with 49 points in 39 games.