Bruins' Brad Marchand suspended 2 games for spearing
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins are going to be without leading scorer Brad Marchand for the rest of the NHL's regular season.
The Bruins forward who has 85 points (39 goals, 46 assists) was suspended for two games by the league on Thursday for a spearing incident against Tampa Bay defenseman Jake Dotchin in a 4-0 Bruins win on Tuesday.
Boston clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs with that win.
Marchand was given a five-minute major penalty for spearing and a game misconduct at 19:20 of the first period Tuesday after he lifted his stick with force into Dotchin's groin area while battling in front of the Lightning net.
"It was definitely very, very selfish and undisciplined," Marchand said. "But you can't do anything about it now, and the most important thing is we're in the playoffs and regardless of who we have to play, we have to do the job. So a couple games here and we're still a very capable team on the ice."
In issuing the suspension the league said in an explanatory video that Marchand's history affected its decision. Marchand was suspended four times for 12 games total prior to this punishment. He was also fined three times.
Marchand will lose $109,756.10 based on his annual salary.
