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Brad Marchand: NHL denies it told Bruins winger to stop licking other players

By Alex Butler
Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron (R) congratulates Brad Marchand. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron (R) congratulates Brad Marchand. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

April 28 (UPI) -- The National Hockey League denies a report that it sent Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marhand a mandate to stop licking opposing players.

ESPN and Sportsnet reported Thursday that Marchad received a call from the NHL, telling him to stop the peculiar gesture. ESPN reported that series supervisor of officials Mick McGeough communicated the message.

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Marchand, 29, has three goals and six assists this postseason for the Bruins. Earlier this season, he was seen kissing Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov on his cheek during a game.

Marchand got close to Komarov again in Game 1 against the Maple Leafs, when he appeared to lick his foe's face.

But NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Boston Globe and USA Today that the message for a licking ban never came from the league. Marchand also responded to a Tweet from the Globe on Friday -- linking to an article about an anti-licking mandate -- with the words: "this is false."

"No, we did not contact the Bruins or Brad Marchand regarding this incident. It's just not true,'' Daly told the Globe and USA Today.

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Marchand did not receive a penalty for his Game 1 lick on April 12 at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Boston beat Toronto 4-3 in the first round series.

The Bruins face the Tampa Bay Lightning at 2 p.m. Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

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