Tuesday night in Winnipeg, Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey was assessed a major penalty for boarding against Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk.
As the video shows, Grzelcyk pursues a loose puck behind the Bruins’ net, as Morrissey cuts across the crease. Meanwhile, Bruins forward Brad Marchand is at his own blue line. Grzelcyk attains possession of the puck and turns towards the boards to protect his possession. With sufficient time to make a better decision, Morrissey skates in at full speed, launching off of his skates, hitting Grzelcyk in the head area, forcing Grzelcyk’s head to make contact forcefully against the end boards. Brad Marchand is still out by his own blue line.
Charging, jumps up to lay hit, late, in the numbers. Even the DOPS can’t screw this up, right? Right? Gross hit. All over a clean hit by Marchand. pic.twitter.com/R9QotdtOsn
— Colin Beswick (@CBeswick) March 28, 2018
This is an example of instigation.
Marchand’s mere presence on the ice enrages Morrissey to a degree high enough to where he needs to take out his frustration on Matt Grzelcyk’s head. Because Brad Marchand is a repeat offender, special consideration is taken into account when giving supplemental discipline.
As a result, the Department of Player Safety has suspended Brad Marchand for 10 games, including any potential playoff games that may align with said suspension.
EDIT: I didn't think this needed to be said but yes, this is obviously a joke.