When the Boston Bruins take the ice Friday at Gillette Stadium, Brad Marchand will not be with them.
Marchand was suspended three games Wednesday by the NHL, ruling the winger out for the Bruins’ New Year’s Day matchup with the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL Winter Classic.
The suspension is the result of what the league called a “late, low hit” Marchand laid Tuesday night on Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki.
In a video detailing the rationale behind the punishment, an NHL spokesman called the hit a textbook example of “clipping” and added that, “It is important to note that in addition to the extremely low point of contact, Borowiecki is not eligible to be checked in any manner, let alone with a sudden check thrown at knee level.”
The video went on to note that Marchand, who leads the Bruins with 15 goals this season, had been punished three times previously (two suspensions, one fine) for low hits in his career. He is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Marchand’s ban, coupled with David Krejci’s upper body injury, means the Bruins will be without two of their top six forwards for Friday’s matchup with the Canadiens at Gillette Stadium. Krejci, who was placed on injured reserve Monday, leads Boston in assists with 22 and is tied for second in points with 33.
Marchand will be eligible to return Jan. 9, when the B’s visit the Senators in Ottawa.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
