Boston Bruins

Morning sports update: What Brad Marchand had to say about his failed shootout attempt

"That's the way it is. I'm not going to overthink it."

Brad Marchand on Monday in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

The Celtics defeated the Bulls on Monday night, 113-101. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 21 points.

And the Bruins lost to the Flyers 6-5 in a shootout. The game was decided by a failed shootout attempt from Brad Marchand, who almost missed the puck as he skated towards net.

And in the College Football National Championship, LSU defeated Clemson, 42-25. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow capped his Heisman Trophy-winning season with five touchdown passes in the game to give him an FBS record 60 for the season.

Brad Marchand talked about his shootout mistake: Bruins forward Brad Marchand has helped Boston win a Stanley Cup (and reach two others). He’s played for Canada, scoring the winning goal in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. And he’s achieved rare personal success, reaching 100 points in a season a year ago.

Advertisement:

So it’s safe to say that Marchand’s career — whenever it finishes — will have its fair share of extraordinary accomplishments to be remembered.

On the flip side, Marchand added an ignominious moment to go along with those other achievements when he botched the Bruins’ shootout on Monday night. Skating up toward the Flyers’ goal — with the Bruins needing a score to keep the shootout going — Marchand almost forgot the puck.

Crucially (and unfortunately for the Bruins), the 31-year-old managed to nudge the puck, which satisfied NHL rules on the subject and ended the game in an anticlimax.

“Yeah, I know the rule…touch the puck on the penalty shot, and that’s your shot,” Marchand explained afterward. “It’s unfortunate. A tough way to lose on a play like that, but…we have to be better when we have the lead.”

Advertisement:

Marchand noted that it was just as simple a mistake as it looked.

“I was just trying to get going and just missed it,” Marchand admitted. “That’s the way it is. I’m not going to overthink it.”

Luckily for Marchand (and the Bruins), a quick chance for redemption arrives almost immediately. Boston is in Columbus tonight to play the Blue Jackets at 7 p.m.

Trivia: The last time LSU won a National Championship was in 2008 (at the conclusion of the 2007 season). What former Patriot was LSU’s leading receiver that season?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He caught a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX.

More from Boston.com:

Randy Moss had a special night watching his son catch two touchdowns to help LSU win the National Championship

:

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow celebrated winning a title in style:

Will Middlebrooks, the next Wally?

On this day: In 2006, the Patriots lost a playoff game for the first time in the Brady-Belichick era with a 27-13 defeat to the Broncos. However, the game will always be remembered in New England for a remarkable hustle play from Ben Watson, who sprinted the length of the field to tackle Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey after an interception. Bailey was on the brink of a 100-yard pick six, but Watson never gave up.

Advertisement:

Though Denver ultimately scored a touchdown anyway (from the one-yard line), Watson’s determination and commitment was an enduring moment of perseverance:

Daily highlight: The moment LSU put the game out of reach, and Joe Burrow (along with the rest of the Tigers) started officially thinking about National Championship rings.

Trivia answer: Brandon LaFell

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com