Don't poke the bear.
That's the message Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand had for Cedric Paquette after the young Tampa Bay Lightning center unsuccessfully baited Bruins captain Zdeno Chara twice on Tuesday night.
“I don’t know what that kid was thinking, I mean you know, you don’t mess with Zee," Marchand told reporters after Boston's 4-3 win.
Paquette was punched in the throat by Chara after a stoppage in the second period, and manhandled by Chara as time expired after engaging the towering defenseman.
"There are some guys where you can push them and they’ll just kind of let it go. But if you’re going to challenge Zee, then you’re going to have to deal with the consequences,” Marchand said. “You know he took a pretty hard punch there the first time and I don’t know what he was thinking going back.
"I mean he must have forgotten that we play them three more times so hopefully he’ll be sent down by then for his sake.”
The next meeting between the two Eastern Conference foes is set for March 12. Mark your calendars.
