FOR THE LOVE OF SPOTTED COW AND ALL THOSE DELICIOUS FROZEN PORK CUTLETS AT KWIK TRIP! You know what I’m talking about – Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers could be out for the rest of this season? The guy who won a Cup with Boston, then was traded to Florida last spring and helped them win their second consecutive title. Now he might clock out early due to some lower-body injury no one’s really specifying on.
Marchand has been dealing with it for some time now, coach Paul Maurice said Monday. And honestly? I don’t blame the guy if he decides enough is enough! His team entered Monday 12 points out of a playoff spot with only 19 games remaining and would need nothing short of Blake from “Blake and Mortimer” saving their season at this point.
There’s going to be a decision made on what’s best for him, Maurice said. Well duh, Paul! You think Marchand wants to stay in the game when he can barely manage getting outta bed? I mean, sure – even while dealing with this injury, Brad ranks second on their team in goals (27), assists (27) and points (54). But c’mon man. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup winner and Olympic silver medalist for crying out loud! If anyone deserves some rest it’s him.
I remember back when I was officiating high school basketball games, there used to be this one kid named Blake. Tall as Michael-Vincent’s ego but with more coordination than you’d think considering he ate Culver’s every day after practice. One game against rival school – not gonna say which one cause rivalry’s a btch – the ball slipped from his hand during layup attempt, hit him straight in the face and he ends up breaking his nose!
But does that stop Blake? Hell no! He finishes the damn game with a bloody rag wrapped around his snout like some sort of weirdo superhero. You think Marchand wouldn’t do similar if given half the chance?
Now don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying Marchand should play injured. Far from it actually – what kind of sick sports fan would want that? But you have to admit there’s something inspiring about pushing through pain for love of game right? Like when Michael-Vincent took a fastball to the eye during softball league and still managed to tag out third base runner.
But I digress… Marchand’s absence only adds another chapter in Panthers’ injury saga this season. They lost their captain Aleksander Barkov due torn knee ligaments, almost 50 games without star forward Matthew Tkachuk recovering from surgery last summer, defensive numbers plummeting since Seth Jones got hurt two months ago – it’s like a freaking soap opera! And those are just some of the injuries they’ve been hit with. Maurice said: “We’ve been dealing with this right from 20 minutes into our first day of training camp this year.”
And yet, despite all odds stacked against them…they keep playing. Just goes to show you what kind of grit and determination these athletes have got under their helmets or whatever headgear they use in hockey – which reminds me: speaking of helmets…
There was one time during a game between the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks, when this guy – I think his name was Viktor something…Viktor Söderström? Yeah that’s it. Anyway he goes sliding on ice like some kind of demented penguin trying to win an Olympic medal in speed skating only instead crashes straight into the boards at full tilt!
Saw him later after match sitting outside locker room with one hand holding a bag of Culver’s chicken tenders while another was massaging his sore back. Told me he’d probably have bruises from neck down next morning but worth it for that assist he scored during game… That’s dedication folks! And don’t get me started on the time this guy named Vincent in our local league managed to sprain his ankle after tripping over own feet while celebrating a goal…
Look, point is – sports ain’t easy. Whether you’re playing at Stanley Cup level or just messing about with pals down at Kwik Trip parking lot, injuries happen and sometimes they suck big time. But do I want Brad Marchand out indefinitely? Hell no! Because let’s be real here folks: would we really miss him if he wasn’t on that ice?
Sure his stats are impressive as hell – ranks second only to Sidney Crosby in goals (27), assists (27) and points (54). But the guy’s got a reputation for being…let’s say, colorful. His antics have earned him more than one fine over years – like when he licked opponents during games! Now that’s dedication alright but not exactly something you want representing your team.
So while it sucks big time to see Marchand possibly clocking out early this season due to injury, maybe his absence will give other players chance shine? Give them opportunity rise above adversity and prove they’re worth their salt on ice even without star player lighting up scoreboard. Plus with Panthers already facing uphill battle just getting into playoffs anyway…
Who knows? Maybe absence really does make heart grow fonder or some crap like that… Either way, here’s hoping Marchand gets back 100% full health soon enough – whether he returns to game or not!
One-Ry Out.