Brad Marchand certainly has a knack for getting under the skin of opposing players and fans, and the Boston Bruins forward did so again in the first period of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final against the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday.
Marchand scored with eight seconds remaining in the opening frame and then proceeded to rub it in fellow agitator Matt Cooke’s face.
Earlier in the shift Cooke and Marchand were seen exchanging a few words, hacks and whacks, but it didn’t escalate and neither player was penalized.
A short while later, Marchand took a pass from Patrice Bergeron and buried a shot, top shelf past Marc-Andre Fleury.
As soon as the puck crossed the goal line, without even throwing his arms up in celebration, Marchand sought out Cooke in order to chirp.
The goal — which restored a three-goal Bruins lead after three early goals forced Tomas Vokoun from the Pens’ net in favour of Fleury — was Marchand’s second of the period. Marchand also scored the first goal of the game just 28 seconds into the game.
The Bruins ended up winning the game 6-1 and took a 2-0 series lead.
Marchand and Cooke are often compared to one another since, although Marchand’s offensive upside is greater, both players are considered two of the top agitators in the game.
In fact, during Game 1 the forwards were involved in similar plays where they were penalized for similar hits they threw in the second period.
Cooke received a five-minute major and game misconduct for a check from behind, while Marchard received a two-minute minor for boarding.
