Brad Marchand Upset at NHL for Inconsistency of Disciplinary Action

by David Brumber on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 at 5:51PM

As Brad Marchand sat out the final game of his five-game suspension Tuesday night, Nick Foligno of the Ottawa Senators decided to try out his best Marchand impression with his hit on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf.

The only difference between the two hits? Foligno skated away with a mere two minute clipping penalty, while Brad Marchand has been sidelined for the past five games, having to watch his team lose two of the first three games of a five game road trip.

Here's video of Marchand's hit.

In comparison, here's Foligno's.

"It might be a little unfair if they give me five games [for a clip] and a guy does it a couple of days later and gets nothing." Marchand said to Comcast SportsNet.

Both hits clearly seem to be a little dirtier than you're average hip check, but it looks as if Foligno actually had a little more time to think about going low compared to Marchand, which should warrant at least an equal suspension.

The NHL's disciplinary captain Brendan Shanahan better be prepared to give a thorough explanation to not only Bruin's fans, but to all fans who expect consistent disciplinary punishments for hits regardless of who made contact (unless that person is Matt Cooke, in which case they should just send him to the AHL, permanently).