Bruins star Brad Marchand was allowed to play in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game despite being in the middle of a five-game suspension.
He was originally suspended for illegally elbowing Marcus Johansson of the New Jersey Devils in the head. Due to Marchand’s suspension history, the NHL gave him a five-game ban.
Many felt Marchand wouldn’t even go to the All-Star game, but the Bruins leader in goals (21) and assists (29) decided to crash the party, and it made for some solid television.
The 2018 All-Star game took place in Tampa, Florida so the face of the Bruins franchise received quite a bit of boo birds upon being announced for the skills competition.
Even while being labeled as the big bad villain, Marchand was all smiles throughout the weekend and took plenty of photos alongside hate posters from fans of other Atlantic Division teams.
Marchand had even more fun after scoring one of Team Atlantic’s seven goals against Team Metropolitan in the first round of the tournament. Marchand had four points total between the two games and waved to the booing fans after each tally.
It doesn’t matter if fans love him or hate him, Marchand is willing to embrace whatever label he’s given as long as he’s performing at a high level.
