NHL Orders Player to Cease 'Unacceptable' On-Ice Tactic

Unlike charging, kneeing, cross-checking, hooking, and spearing, licking isn't on the National Hockey League's list of infractions—but that doesn't mean Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand can keep doing it. The league says Marchand was put "on notice" after licking the face of the Tampa Bay Lightning's Ryan Callahan during Friday's game, NBC Sports reports. Marchand also licked Leo Komarov of the Toronto Maple Leafs during a first-round playoff game, and kissed the same player on the cheek during a regular-season game.

The NHL says Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell spoke to Marchand and Don Sweeney, the general manager of the Bruins, on Saturday and told them such conduct is "unacceptable and similar behavior in the future will be dealt with by way of supplemental discipline." Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told Global News Sunday that Marchand had been told to keep his tongue to himself. "If part of his M.O. is to annoy people, find another way to do it," he said. "Preferably by scoring some goals, that would be the best way probably." In the end, it was the Bruins who were licked: The Lightning beat them 3-1 Sunday night to win the series and move to the next round. (More Boston Bruins stories.)