Clip someone once, shame on you. Clip someone twice?
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, already suspended this season for clipping, was guilty of a repeat infraction during Wednesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens.
At the end of the second period, Marchand came in low on Alexei Emelin, undercutting Emelin's legs and sending him crashing to the ice. Emelin was not injured on the play, but Marchand received a clipping minor. This hit looks very similar to the clipping penalty Marchand took Jan. 7 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Marchand received more discipline on the hit against Sami Salo during the game -- a five-minute major and a game misconduct -- and from the league in a form of a five-game suspension.
NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan explained his reasoning behind suspending Marchand Jan. 9:
"While we understand that in certain circumstances a player may duck or bail instinctively in order to protect himself from an imminent, dangerous check, we do not view this play as defensive or instinctive. Rather, we feel this was a predatory low hit delivered intentionally by Marchand in order to flip his opponent over him."
The question is whether Marchand's intent was as malicious Wednesday as it was last month. Shanahan has proven that he has little tolerance for repeat offenders, so perhaps Marchand will have some more explaining to do.
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