Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has received a warning from the NHL about licking the faces of his opponents.
Colin Campbell, the league鈥檚 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 night鈥檚 4-3 overtime victory by the Lightning, prompting the warning from the NHL.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what the difference is between that and spitting in someone鈥檚 face,鈥� Callahan said.
In Game 1 of Boston鈥檚 first-round series against the Maple Leafs, Marchand licked the neck of Toronto forward Leo Komarov.
鈥淗e keeps trying to get close to me. I don鈥檛 know if he has a thing for me or what, but he鈥檚 cute,鈥� said Komarov at the time.
Since Friday鈥檚 game, people have had mixed reviews over Marchand鈥檚 actions.
Next time Brad Marchand goes to lick someone
鈥� debrusk (@TheBruwins)
Hmmm...the mainstream hockey media has chosen to make a MASSIVE deal about Marchand鈥檚 kisses/licks but still fail to recognize the incredibly one-sided officiating in the Bruins/Lightning series.
鈥� Bruins Diehards (@BruinsDiehards)
馃馃馃
Marchand licking people really has to be stopped
鈥� 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. 馃う馃徎鈥嶁檧锔�
鈥� Leah Hextall (@leahhextall)
The Canadian Press
