Head coach Jim Montgomery of the Boston Bruins has had enough of opponents regularly taking liberties with Bruins captain Brad Marchand and alternate captain David Pastrnak.
In the aftermath of the Bruins’ 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings to end the calendar year 2023, Montgomery, unprompted, chastised league officials for allowing not only the Red Wings, but various opponents targeting David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand to commit infractions that should be penalized.
“I do believe there was a gameplan to go after Pastrnak and Marchand,” Montgomery said as he began to respond to a question from Boston Globe reporter Kevin Paul Dupont about Bruins goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman, who improved to 11-2-4 on the season with the win over the Red Wings on Sunday.
Jim Montgomery on what he liked about the #NHLBruins win in Detroit: "The way we are competing for each other…and the energy on the bench and that's by everyone." pic.twitter.com/lo70RXc9TY
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 1, 2024
But Montgomery isn’t just angry with the lack of official protection for his players; he’s frustrated with the lack of protection for all NHL stars. He also mentioned Edmonton Oilers forward and three-time Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid’s abuse.
“I do believe we need to protect our stars in our game,” Montgomery said. “When guys are getting cross-checked and stuff after whistles, I think that’s something that the league needs to be concerned about.” We’ve seen it with [Connor] McDavid for several years. Last year, he scored multiple points, but in previous years, they allowed players to maul him in the playoffs, and you don’t want to take away the incredible skill of a McDavid, Pastrnak, or Marchand because that’s what this league is about.
Montgomery referenced the blow Boston Bruins winger Morgan Geekie suffered from Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot 11:23 into the first period, as well as the accompanying commotion, as examples of referees failing to protect stars like Pastrnak.
Chiarot fights Geekie after a couple pokes but I’m not sure Geekie fights Chiarot pic.twitter.com/roKwyCUy2C
— Mr. Tenkrat (@PeterTenkrat) December 31, 2023
Montgomery referenced the blow Boston Bruins winger Morgan Geekie suffered from Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot 11:23 into the first period, as well as the accompanying commotion, as examples of referees failing to protect stars like Pastrnak.
