The Department of Player Safety has issued a three-game suspension to Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand for slew-footing Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson last night.
As the accompanying video explains:
It is important to note that there are many occasions during the course of a game where players use either their legs or their stick and upper body to restrain or impede opponents, or to gain leverage during a puck battle. When these players rise to the level of being illegal, the vast majority of them can be adequately punished with in-game penalties.
What causes this play to rise to the level of supplementary discipline, is Marchand’s use of both his upper and lower body to take Ekman-Larsson to the ice in a dangerous fashion and the speed at which the players are traveling towards the boards.
While the video includes reasoning on why it rises to the level of supplementary discipline, it’s Marchand’s lengthy history with the DoPS that makes it a three-game ban. The Bruins forward has been suspended six times in the past, including once for a slew foot in 2015.
Ekman-Larsson did not suffer a serious injury on the play. Marchand was also not penalized, but he will have to sit down for the Bruins next three games and forfeit more than $90K in salary.
I like how DOPS throws Joannette and Lambert under the bus there: “When these plays rise to the level of being illegal, the vast majority of them can be adequately punished with in-game penalties.” No penalty was called on the play. Incidentally, no penalty was called on his 2015 slew foot of Brassard either.
Rat Face with his 7th suspension, and he gets a pass on most of his antics. Considering how nasty the results of a slew foot can be, he’s probably lucky to get away with 3 games. He’s obviously good with his tongue.
Note to the narrator of that DoPS video – that was *more* than merely slew-footing, it was more of a body slam. That was certified ECHL-esque Rodeo Hockey, which was allegedly outlawed by the NHL. If junk like that really was illegal, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy Dave Maloney, Kenny Sabourin, or Sergio, just to name a few, screaming loudly-and-justly, “How is that NOT a penalty???”
It should of came with a buttend to his nose so it would be red for xmas…they probably don’t play again
Ekman-Larsson’s right skate almost catches the ice during the incident. His leg and knee would have been wrecked if that catches.
3 games is a gift. Is it going to take Marchand ending someone’s career before the NHL gets serious?
If this had been Tom Wilson we would see 20+ games.
Glad OEL did not get hurt, really dirty play by Marchand.
I don’t have a problem with Marchand being suspended. What I do have an issue with his the NHL’s inconsistency in doling out suspensions for slew footing incidents. P.K. Subban has had 4 incidents this season, but hasn’t been suspended at all. If the league really want to crack down on this type of play, then it has to be more consistent in its suspensions