Lars Eller and Brad Marchand have a history. Midway through the second period, the Tiger got sentimental.
And by sentimental, I mean Eller was reminiscing about October, when Marchand assaulted and bloodied him. So he challenged him to fight.
Marchand (to everyone’s surprise, we’re sure) passed.
Video
Here’s how it went down. Eller made a b-line towards Marchand at the blue line and dropped his gloves. Eller grabbed Marchand’s jersey. As the two circled, a referee did his best to keep them apart. Marchand refused to engage and eventually fell to the ice.
Weak.
Eller went to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Capitals successfully killed off the penalty.
During the Capitals’ first game of the season, Marchand suckered Eller into a fight after the Danish center gave the Caps a 7-0 lead in the third period.
Marchand claimed that their last fight wasn’t about Eller’s goal, it was about Eller’s goal celebration. The Bruins announcers said during tonight’s game that Eller had also “unleashed some verbal taunts” at Marchand.
Prior to tonight’s match-up, Eller declined to comment. But, according to NBCSW’s JJ Regan, he also said “I think it’s just guys remember. Just memory. I think people can remember a few months back.”
Eller wanted to go with Marchand, who was not into it. (Hockey grudges are so funny!)
Now Bruins are getting a PP.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 11, 2019
Ah, sports.
