Brad Marchand: Gabriel Landeskog ‘Not A Dirty Player’; Hit Was ‘Hockey’

BOSTON — Brad Marchand was a man of very few words Thursday night after absorbing an illegal check from Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog.

The hit, which occurred during the second period of a 3-2 Bruins loss and sent Marchand tumbling to the ice, was a scary moment for the feisty winger, who already had suffered one concussion this season.

“I mean, any time you get hit in the head, you’re a little concerned,” said Marchand, who remained in the game. “Especially (because) I got a concussion a couple weeks back, I was definitely nervous. But I’m glad I’m OK.”

Landeskog was ejected from the game by way of a match penalty, meaning he will be suspended indefinitely pending review by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. The play clearly bothered Marchand, but he said after the game he did not believe it was intentional.

“Things happen quick,” he said. “I know that I’ve been there. I’m sure he didn’t mean it. I don’t think he’s a dirty player. It’s hockey. It is what it is.”

Landeskog’s hit prompted an immediate reaction from Marchand, who popped the 22-year-old captain in the face during the ensuing post-whistle scrum. Landeskog told reporters he had approached Marchand to apologize; Marchand said he “(didn’t) know what (Landeskog) was saying.”

“Right away, like I said, I tried to let up, and then I tried to skate up and apologize and tell him I didn’t mean to come across,” Landeskog told reporters in the Colorado dressing room. “And he — obviously he wasn’t hurt with that sucker punch. Like I said, I’m happy he didn’t get hurt. I feel like principle point of contact was shoulder, and like I said, I’m happy he didn’t get hurt.”

The NHL also will review Marchand’s punch, CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty reported.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images