New York. Anger escalated in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ away meeting with arch-rival Boston last night.
Not because they lost on penalties in the first place, but because Brad Marchand was deemed to have intentionally hit running back Timothy Liljegren — and he wasn’t even ejected.
– He put the stick between his legs, pretended to use a can and made sure that Liljegren entered first on the sideline, coach Sheldon Keefe roars and at the same time announces that the Swede will unfortunately be out for a long time.
At the end of the first period, Brad Marchand and Timothy Liljegren were chasing a puck along the right wing in the Maple Leafs zone — and before they reached the corner of the rim, Boston’s captain slid the stick past the Swede’s goal. His legs and beat him until he entered the rim feet first.
Liljegren was lying on the ice for a while and had trouble getting up at all, but was finally helped to the locker room.
Marchand?
He played on. Wes McCauley – considered by many to be the best referee in the league – made no reaction.
– But it was a clear expulsion, according to ESPN commentators.
“The most dangerous place”
Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe mildly agrees.
Marchand placed the club between Liljegren’s legs, pretended to use the can and made sure he went feet first into the rim. In the most dangerous place on the ice, he crashes.
– I asked Wes why there was no package, but I got nothing. He just said he’d never seen the club.
Keefe also announced that the 24-year-old Skåne is likely to be sidelined for an extended period – which is of course unfortunate given the Maple Leafs fly to Stockholm next weekend for upcoming games at the Globe.
The night’s drama ended in a 2-2 draw, after Toronto restored a 0-2 deficit with two quick goals in the second half. The Bruins then won in a shootout.
Swedish Leafs trio Calle Järnkrok, William Lagesson and William Nylander all have assists – and for the latter, it means his scoring streak is now ten games long.