Brad Marchand credits Patrice Bergeron for getting him to stop actin’ a fool in Game 2
Brad Marchand lapsed into some old habits during Game 2 against the Capitals. The Bruins winger credited his captain and longtime linemate for helping him refocus.
Marchand ended up netting the game-winner for the B’s on Monday night to even the series 1-1 against the Washington Capitals. If he didn’t redeem himself and then some, the story on him from the game would have been some ill-advised penalties. First he went to the penalty box for giving Brenden Dillon a boop in the balls. Later, in the second period, he received a match penalty with Anthony Mantha that really should have been him alone, if anything.
The penalties didn’t result in goals for the Capitals. But Marchand is the Bruins’ best player and can’t afford to take himself off the ice. Despite some overly litigious officiating on Monday, there’s no benefit to Marchand pulling that rat crap right in front of them.
After the game, Marchand credited linemate and Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron for reining him in after his second penalty.
“Well I mean, that second [penalty] was a little soft. I don’t think either of us – they probably just could have let that go on both sides,” Marchand said. “It’s about just being able to kind of get back into the game, I think, after that one. The refs were kind of sending a little bit of a message and it was received.
“Obviously Bergy, in situations like that, will grab me and kind of reel me back in like he did. That’s just part of it. We’re obviously on the biggest stage right now. Got to stay out of the box in these games. So, I’ve got to do a little bit better job there than I did tonight.”
Marchand has been so good about removing the palooka nonsense from his game in recent years, that it sticks out like a sore thumb when he starts doing it again. Thankfully, he’s got Bergeron by his side to remind him that he’s a world-class talent who doesn’t need to resort to those tactics anymore. Because taking him off the ice in a matching penalty is almost never a good trade-off.
Ty Anderson and I talked more about this and other topics from Game 2, which you can listen to below.
MORE: Bruins’ best deliver in Game 2 win
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at [email protected].
