Marchand: Bruins hoped Thornton would score 4th goal

Warning: Story contains graphic language/mature subject matter

After San Jose Sharks legend Joe Thornton picked up his first hat trick in over eight years Monday, the entire hockey world - including the opposing Boston Bruins - was anticipating what might happen if the 39-year-old scored a fourth time.

"Obviously with Thornton getting his hat trick, we wanted to win, but I think we were all kind of hoping for him to get that fourth one to see if he was actually going to do what he said he was going to do," Bruins forward Brad Marchand told reporters Tuesday.

In 2013, Tomas Hertl - then a rookie - went between the legs for his fourth goal of a game against the New York Rangers to give San Jose an 8-2 lead. Afterward, Thornton heard a reporter ask one of his teammates whether Hertl was showboating and jumped to his defense.

"Shut up. Have you ever played the game? I'd have my (rooster) out if I scored four goals. I'd have my (rooster) out, stroking it," Thornton said, according to The Province.

San Jose held a 5-4 lead late in Monday's game, meaning Thornton would've had a reasonable shot at four goals if the Bruins pulled the goalie. Instead, Chris Wagner's controversial marker with under two minutes remaining forced overtime, and Boston eventually won.

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