Marchand Madness, Bruins forward Proves Key in Teams Success
Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, with the help of his line-mates has been finding great success on the ice. Currently riding a four game point streak, four of his last five goals have proven to be game winning tallies. The 5’9″ Halifax, Nova Scotia native has tallied 8 assists and proven his weight in 12 Bruins goals, ranking him 8th in the league.
It’s true that Marchand has developed a sometimes warranted reputation throughout the league as an agitator of epic proportions. While NHL fans far and wide have grown to hate Marchand, in Boston his efforts on the ice haven’t gone unrecognized- especially by his coaches and teammates.
“He [Marchand] probably doesn’t get enough credit because of his, I guess his demeanor on the ice, how he’s a bit of an agitator, and certainly that kind of tarnishes a little bit of the good things he does, but that’s what makes him a great player,” said Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien. “He’s a very emotional guy, likes to get under peoples’ skin sometimes, but as long as it doesn’t interfere with the skill level that he has, and he’s a great player, good passer, great goal scorer and he has a quick release. I think he’s an even better player than what people perceive him to be.”
Opponents never cease to pick on what they most often see as an easy target; that target wears a #63 on his sweater. In seasons’ past, Marchand may have taken the retaliation route, this year Marchand is skating to a different tune.
“Right now it’s not really on the top of my list to fight,” said Marchand. “I think I’d rather be out there just playing the game”
Finding his stride and developing his game, while redirecting his retaliations into goals has been a welcomed change.
“Yeah, I mean that’s something we’ve talked about this year, that he’s staying more composed but still he plays that game and gets under people’s skin I guess,” said line-mate Patrice Bergeron. “Then responds with offense and I think that’s the best way to answer.”
Although the Marchand, Bergeron and Seguin combination has been the production line as of late, it was a slow start for Seguin in the scoring category. During his ‘slump’, even Seguin managed to find a solution to get the puck in the net.
“I just gave it to March [Brad Marchand],” said Tyler Seguin with a smile. “What else are you going to do, look at the stats?”
Small in stature but never in heart, Bruins fans can rest assured that the ‘Marchand Madness’ will continue all the way until the last puck drops.
