Marchand injury bad joke across Twitter
Each day, Twitter offers millions of users the opportunity to make fools of themselves. And when you combine that bitterness fans of the Vancouver Canucks still feel against the Bruins - you're likely to strike fools' gold.
Thursday, Northlands Golf Course in Vancouver hit the Twitter motherlode and captured "Sports Buffoon of the Day" social media honors for its celebratory Tweet regaling in Anton Volchenkov'shead-bashing of a defenseless Brad Marchand in Boston's 5-4 win over New Jersey Wednesday.
The Northlands Golf Course Twitter account posted the following Tweet Thursday: "Anton Volchenkov receives free golf for the rest of the year @NorthlandsCG for this," followed by a link to above You Tube video of Volchenkov's crack on Marchand.
Now we know what happened to Carl Spackler. He's become the Social Media Director at Northlands.
Reaction from Bruins fans and others on Twitter was harsh:
Until the city burns downRT @northlandsgcAnton Volchenkov receives free golf for the rest of the year @northlandsgc because of this.
— William Harris (@Cintai44) April 11, 2013
Northlands GC must be so hurt that their team choked in the SCF that they felt the need to JOKE about a player's health #morons #getoverit
— Kimmi Noble (@Steeler_Kimmi) April 12, 2013
And this from the home fans:
@cintai44 @northlandsgc way to embarrass the city Northlands, does Volchenkov get a lifetime pass if Marchands career is over?
— Bill I am (@Heatbagger) April 12, 2013
The golf course soon deleted the offending Tweet and posted an apology.
Apologies to those offended by our previous Tweet. It was meant to be tongue in cheek however we recognize it was done in poor taste...
— Northlands GC (@NorthlandsGC) April 12, 2013
It also wished "Brad Marchand a speedy recovery."
The "apology" only makes things worse in this case. Stupidity topped with a scoop of insincerity. These golfers are lacking when it comes to balls, as well as brains.
Not all of Twitter was flush with good feelings toward Marchand.
The hate was coming from many fronts - and lots of it can't be printed here. Among the bile:
Hey Marchand! You deserve every bit of that concussion. Hope when you get better you tear both ACLs. Love LeafsNation
— Olaf (@Icewaaarrior) April 12, 2013
Volchenkov should have got a raise instead of a suspension for that elbow on Marchand
— Jordan Houle (@JordoHo) April 12, 2013
BRAD #MARCHAND NOSE HOW TO DIVE AND MILK AN INJURY.
— Jean-Matty St.Pierre (@GlovesOffHockey) April 12, 2013
Gloting in 140 characters or less because an opponent was injured - especially after the offender was suspended - is all part of social media's ugly underbelly. This and worse happens constantly.
Patriots' fan Katie Moody mocked Ravens WR Torrey Smith in Baltimore about the death of his brother less than 24 hours after it happened during the Pats' loss to the Ravens last fall. She later apologized and shut down the Twitter account that sent the Tweet.
According to its website, Northlands Golf Course is: "Scenic, Tranquil & Spectacular - This is West Coast Golf at its Finest!" If didn't say anything about being run by rubes.
Marchand's been diagnosed with a mild concussion.
Volchenkov got four games for the thuggery, which might have been the biggest miscarriage of NHL justice since Matt Cooke was suspended for zero games after his hit all-but ended Marc Savard's career.
Of course, Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard got nothing for 11 months after being convicted of hitting a police officer. His 30-day jail sentence is set to be served in March of 2014, pending many appeals.
Somewhere the scales of justice must be under repair this week.
The four-game suspension Aaron Rome was given for ending Nathan Horton's participation in the 2011 Cup finals was equally absurd as Volchenkov's.
But after that hit, Marchand and the rest of the Bruins became physical and beat the snot out of the Canucks the rest of the series.
There was no retaliation delivered Wednesday - as Anton the Coward was given a game misconduct and the Bruins were more focused on protecting their lead. The Devils aren't going to the playoffs and the Bruins won't see Anton until next season at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the Bruins slipped back into second place in the Northeast/Adams Division after a 2-1 loss to the Islanders Thursday and Montreal's victory over Buffalo. The Bruins played like they were completely out of gas and worn after their final back-to-back, road trip games of the season.
While Northlands apologized for its Tweet, it has yet to publicly rescind its offer. Wonder what would happen if Volchenkov showed up for a quick 18 since he's got some free time for the next week? They'll probably offer Whitey Bulger golf for life if he ever gets out of jail.
Marchand torched the Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup finals. Vancouver fans reacted by nearly torching the city in the riots that followed Boston's victory in Game 7.
Blue Jays' fans cheered the injured John Lackey Saturday - to paraphrase Bluto "only Red Sox fans can do that."
Then there's Montreal, where they call the police to investigate opposing players. And no one offered Zdeno Chara free golf via Twitter after he ran Max Pacioretty.
The Canadian dollar coin is called the "Loon."
An apt description for some of the nation's sports fans. Including the gang at Northlands.
As always, let us know what you think. Post your thoughts here, on our Obnoxious Boston Fan Facebook page, on Twitter @realOBF or e-mail me at obnoxiousbostonfan@hotmail.com.
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