‘This game is going the wrong way’: Lightning’s Pat Maroon upset over misconduct penalty

TAMPA — Lightning forward Pat Maroon said “this game is going the wrong way” after he and Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds each received 10-minute misconduct penalties for insulting each other from their benches at the start of Tampa Bay’s 6-2 loss Monday at Amalie Arena. .

Maroon, Lightning’s main enforcer, had been talking to Simmonds, who fills the same role for the Leafs, for most of the game’s first six minutes.

The trade came after Lightning forward Corey Perry lured out five skaters from Toronto, including Simmonds, who began pushing and shoving Perry, following a whistle in front of Leafs goalie Jack Campbell.

Following a faceoff in the Toronto zone, referee Frederick L’Ecuyer called the play dead and issued 10-minute misconduct penalties for Maroon and Simmonds.

On the Lightning’s TV broadcast, color analyst Brian Engblom, who was calling the game from ice level between the benches, said L’Ecuyer warned both players before calling the penalty.

“In a way it’s a shame,” Engblom said on the broadcast, “because that’s what flavor is all about, everyone is leering at each other. I heard Maroon told Simmonds, ‘Hey, you’re going to be out of the league next year anyway.’ Simmonds’ other comment I really can’t repeat.”

Maroon often engages in trash talk with other players both on the ice and from the bench, sometimes reminding opponents that he has three Stanley Cup rings. Perry isn’t afraid to engage in screeching, either.

There was no further escalation between Maroon and Simmonds, and in the second period the physical tone of the game gave way to a fast pace that worked in Toronto’s favor.

Maroon later expressed his frustration with the call.

“This game is going the wrong way,” he said. “I guess now they can’t squeak at each other on the bench. I guess that’s illegal. I guess it’s better to watch 80’s hockey when the guys were singing to each other.

“I don’t know why they did that,” he continued. “I guess the game is going the other way. They don’t want to see that anymore. I guess (L’Ecuyer) said it’s bad for television, which is really shocking.”

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