Marchand reacts with anger to the referee after a terrible call
The Boston Bruins returned to the rink following their holiday hiatus, heading to face the Buffalo Sabres in hopes of widening their lead in the Atlantic Division.
With the Bruins ahead 1-0, team captain Brad Marchand was penalized for executing a cross-check on the Sabres' Dylan Cozens. Despite a review revealing Marchand's restraint in the action, Cozens managed to play the puck into the Bruins' zone.
Marchand served his two-minute penalty for cross-checking but continued to voice his grievances from the penalty box. His additional verbal complaints resulted in an extra two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
NHL on TNT analyst Colby Armstrong was part of the majority who opposed NHL referee Garrett Rank's decision during the initial period.
When the studio host, Liam McHugh, initiated discussion after the first break about the call, Armstrong expressed strong disagreement.
McHugh: "Anson Carter, you didn't love the call?"
Carter: "No."
Armstrong: "Like brutal call. If you look at it, he was going to cross-check him � which is so on brand � but then he goes, �OK. I'm not gonna cross-check him; I'm just gonna bump him down. Give him the penalty; get it right. Get thicker skin! Big deal. The guy's upset. Skate away. Call the two minutes."
Fortunately for Boston, they successfully nullified the Sabres' four-minute penalty. Marchand contributed two assists during the evening in a 4-1 triumph for the Bruins.
| POLL | ||
28 DECEMBRE | 357 ANSWERS Marchand reacts with anger to the referee after a terrible call Do you believe the quality of NHL refereeing has declined in this season? | ||
| Yes | 315 | 88.2 % |
| No | 42 | 11.8 % |
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