Brad Marchand is gonna Brad Marchand.
The Bruins winger, who most definitely has an “If you're not cheating, you're not trying” tattoo somewhere, caught the wrath of Columbus Blue Jackets fans Tuesday night when he was caught during the broadcast breaking the blade of Cam Atkinson's stick ahead of a key faceoff in overtime.
Had referee Ryan Gibbons not paused to boot Bruin Patrice Bergeron from the draw, Atkinson would have had to drop his stick, essentially creating a man advantage for Boston in sudden death.
It was a trash move from a player who shouldn't have to resort to trash moves.
With Bergeron's ejection, Atkinson was given time to head to the bench for a fresh stick, but not before having words with Marchand. You could certainly make a case for a penalty in that situation, but nothing was called.
On the way back to the circle, the 5-foot-8 Atkinson caught Marchand with a shoulder, with the 5-foot-9 Marchand retaliating with a stick to the Blue Jacket's chest. We were this close to getting a fight that none of us predicted coming in. One game in and this series has the appropriate level of spice.
Marchand has a long and storied history of antagonizing opponents on the ice, drawing a rebuke from the league office last year for licking players. You read that right.
Atkinson, for his part, vows not to let Marchand get to him.
Cam Atkinson said Brad Marchand stepped on his stick in OT, which is why it broke. He said that has never happened to him before. Hey, if thats how he wants to roll, Atkinson said. I dont know, thats who he is. Im not going to let it get to me. It is what it is.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 26, 2019
Asked Friday about Marchand's antics, Cam had this to say:
Cam Atkinson's latest response to Brad Marchand snapping his stick last night:
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) April 26, 2019
"He owes me $300, so you can tell him that. I'm expecting that."
You or the team?
"Me. It's my property. It says Atkinson on it."
Do you take a check or Venmo?
"Cash. Straight cash." #CBJ
Marchand, embracing his inner troll, saw things differently:
Brad Marchand on his incident with Cam Atkinson:
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 26, 2019
"I think he was trying to dull my blade there. Send me to the room, get it sharpened. It's kind of rude of him to do." pic.twitter.com/oQX2j2z2WC
The Blue Jackets will try to even the series Saturday at Boston's TD Garden for Game 2.
