Statement from the Bruins on the suspension:
"While we respect the process that the Department of Player Safety took to reach their decision regarding Brad’s hit on Sami Salo, we are very disappointed by their ruling.
"While we understand that the Department of Safety is an evolving entity, it is frustrating that there are clear comparable situations that have not been penalized or sanctioned in the past.
"It is equally disappointing that Brad sought the counsel of the Department this past Fall for an explanation and clarification regarding this type of scenario so as to adjust his game if necessary. He was advised that such an incident was not sanctionable if he was protecting his own safety. Given our feeling that Brad was indeed protecting himself and certainly did not clip the player as he contacted the player nowhere near the knee or quadricep, today’s ruling is not consistent with what the Department of Player Safety communicated to Brad."
Sounds like Brad actually asked about this situation and was told it was fine. Ballard hit him like that earlier in the game and there was no penalty. Raymond hit Marchand in a similar way in a previous game. Hamhuis hit Lucic like that last year in the cup finals and there was no penalty. It's pretty clear the NHL had already set a precedent, told Marchand that the hit was clean, and then drill him for a 5 game suspension? Seems like the NHL needs to get their head out of their ass, not the Bruins and their fans.
Oh, and of course not to forget.. Weisse who brutally destroyed Horton's head last year in the cup finals got less of a suspension that Marchand. Once again, that's a joke.
For your enjoyment.. he's the Raymond and Marchand hits side by side. Looks pretty much the damn same to me:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10scJ5fWpeE"]Marchand/Raymond hits side by side - YouTube[/ame]