Pittsburgh Penguins forward Michael Bunting called out by his former team for being a diver
Michael Bunting of the Pittsburgh Penguins is facing major backlash for being one of the biggest divers in the NHL and gets called out by a Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit has called out former teammate Michael Bunting, criticizing his on-ice behavior during the Leafs' 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
Despite the victory, Benoit wasn't pleased with Bunting's style of play. When speaking with reporters after the game Benoit admitted Bunting's effectiveness in his role but didn't hold back on his criticism labeling Bunting as a diver. This term is often used in hockey to describe players who exaggerate contact in an attempt to draw penalties.
The two players clashed multiple times during the game, with officials needing to step in and separate them on several occasions. Benoit's comments prove there's growing frustration with Bunting who now has a reputation for being a controversial player because of his dives.
This adds fuel to the rivalry between the Maple Leafs & Penguins which has grown since former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as their president & general manger. Benoit's remarks seem to highlight the lingering bad blood not only between the teams but also among former teammates.
With these growing rivalries & the tensions from Saturday night's game the Benoit vs Bunting feud is just another story line in what is quickly becoming a heated matchup whenever these two teams meet.
