There always seems to be a storyline surrounding Brad Marchand in the playoffs and one popped up Thursday after the Bruins' 3-2 overtime win in Game 1 over the Blue Jackets.
With 16:27 left in the first overtime period, Marchand was matched up with Cam Atkinson as the two awaited a faceoff.
As the two stood to watch Patrice Bergeron and Matt Duchene fight for the puck, Marchand could be seen stomping on the ice.
Need a reason to hate Brad Marchand yet? Here, he breaks Cam Atkinson's blade before a faceoff. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/CBDNuUNN64
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 26, 2019
After the puck wasn't dropped, Atkinson could be seen looking at his stick in frustration.
That's because Marchand appeared to break Atkinson's stick on the play.
The Blue Jackets forward confirmed the situation after the game
“Hey, if that’s how he wants to roll,” Atkinson said. “I don’t know, that’s who he is. I’m not going to let it get to me. It is what it is.”
Cam Atkinson said Brad Marchand stepped on his stick in OT, which is why it broke. He said that has never happened to him before. “Hey, if that’s how he wants to roll,” Atkinson said. “I don’t know, that’s who he is. I’m not going to let it get to me. It is what it is.”
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) April 26, 2019
Marchand is often in the news for hard hits and bizarre news as he has been suspended for dirty plays and reprimanded for other odd incidents.
The NHL had to release a statement last year urging players not to lick their opponents. That was entirely about Marchand.
This is just another moment in the endless saga of Marchand and one thing to keep track of further on down the line in this series.