NHL upholds six-game suspension for Brad Marchand
The NHL has upheld a six-game suspension handed out to Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand.
Marchand was suspended last Tuesday by the league for punching Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry in the head then high-sticking him later in the altercation.
#NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upholds #NHLBruins Brad Marchand’s six game suspension. His full opinion is available.
Essentially boils down to 2 games for the punch, 2 games for the high-stick to Jarry’s face and 2 additional games for Marchand’s previous similar conduct. pic.twitter.com/VeWM29Ngxt
The suspension, the league said, was based on both of the infractions that occurred on the play, as well as Marchand’s previous history with the league. He’s already served four games of the suspension with the Bruins going 1-3 in that time.
The ruling was handed down by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who in a statement noted Marchand’s history played into the ruling.
“It is, to say the least, an unenviable record,” Bettman said. “And (again), to make matters worse, Marchand’s most recent suspension prior to the one occurred less than three months ago.”
As noted by DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the upholding of the suspension boiled down to two games each for the punch, two games for the high-stick, and two games for Marchand’s prior record.
He still has two games left to serve on his suspension with the Bruins facing the Ottawa Senators Saturday and the Colorado Avalanche Monday.
So what was it that got Marchand so upset? Well, according to Seravalli, Jarry said “How about that f—king save?”
BTW. Everyone wanted to know: What did #pens Tristan Jarry say to make Brad Marchand punch him in the face?
Marchand testified, according to Bettman ruling, that Jarry said: “How about that f—-ing save?”
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.