That's certainly one way to get the opposition off its game.
Boston Bruins agitator Brad Marchand was back to some familiar antics Friday, as he licked the face of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan.
It's been a too-frequent tactic from Marchand, who also hit Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov with his tongue in the first round of the postseason.
Reports originally indicated that the league warned Marchand for his conduct, but NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly later denied it.
Not surprisingly, Twitter was quick to react to Marchand's latest gross misconduct:
Lick City
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 5, 2018
Marchand.....gross
— Nathaniel Mata (@Mata_Monitor) May 5, 2018
Brad.... pic.twitter.com/CGFF8FHf2L
— Matty Go Sens (@Gerv_Rebrand) May 5, 2018
Marchand: "I'm a licker, not a fighter" #GoBolts #NHLBruins https://t.co/P3H3FWRWfl
— Michelle Sturino (@MichelleSturino) May 5, 2018
If you don’t think Brad Marchand is an embarrassment to the Boston Bruins... You’re right. He’s an embarrassment to the entire NHL. pic.twitter.com/NxTGxQ2xy3
— Mike Armstrong (@ArmstrongGN) May 5, 2018
I don't understand how Marchand gets away with this licking. Players can't spit at other players & justifiably so because you don't want bodily fluids being exchanged. This is just as bad & yet there's no penalty/suspension. I love Marchand as a player but this is ridiculous!
— NA Central Scouting (@MarkSeidel) May 5, 2018
*Brad Marchand
— TheLeafFan97 (@LeafFan1917) May 5, 2018
“One of these is fun to lick. The other is an ice cream cone” #NHL #TBLvsBOS pic.twitter.com/0B1kKr0qWe
The NHL is on the clock now with Marchand. Absolute joke if they don’t fine or suspend him. Complete embarrassment.
— Bryan Hayes (@HayesTSN) May 5, 2018
live look: @TBLightning game-planning during the intermission pic.twitter.com/AO0huHoUBu
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) May 5, 2018
