Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was asked about licking Lightning forward Ryan Callahan during Friday night’s loss.  Marchand claimed he licked Callahan because he was punched in the face several times.

“He punched me four times in the face, so he just kept on getting close.  It was nothing big.”

Marchand left out the part about earning those punches with a dirty hit on Callahan.  Which is a bigger issue than the licking he’s been doing.

We’ve likely seen the last of Marchand’s licks, unless he truly can’t control himself.  The NHL released a statement saying that Marchand has been put on notice and will face discipline if he licks an opponent again.