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During the Boston Bruins game against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, Brad Marhand was the victim of a blind side hit by Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog. Brad Marchand had just released a shot before Landeskog skated from his blindside and hit him up high near the head/shoulder area. The following tweet shows the hit from various angles.
Here are all of the angles NESN provided of the Landeskog hit on Marchand pic.twitter.com/UApFFGO602
— Garden Grizzlies (@GardenGrizzlies) November 13, 2015
Puck Prose
It’s clear that Marchand had no idea Landeskog was skating behind him, and fortunately he wasn’t injured on the play. “I mean, any time you get in the head, you’re a little concerned,” Marchand said. “Especially (because) I got a concussion a couple weeks back, I was definitely nervous. But I’m glad I’m okay” Marchand has been on the wrong side of some questionable plays in the past, and as a result, he was understanding of the hit after the fact. “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.”
Gabriel Landeskog spoke to reporters in the Colorado locker room and said that he actually apologized to Marchand. “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 said. “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,” Whether the hit was primarily targeting the head or the shoulder, it was still well outside of Marchand’s range of vision and is being reviewed by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
As Landeskog mentioned, Marchand sucker punched Landeskog immediately following the hit, and that too, will be investigated by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Brad Marchand lands one on Gabe Landeskog pic.twitter.com/AiRTYaB1Ba
— Garden Grizzlies (@GardenGrizzlies) November 13, 2015
The most important thing is that Marchand left the situation and the game without a concussion, or any other injury. The Bruins dropped the first game of their five game home-stand to the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 after leading the game 2-0 in the first period. The Bruins are an abysmal 1-5-1 at home so far this season and will look to drastically improve upon that record in the near future.
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports