Mikko Rantanen Avoids Suspension for Hit on Alexander Romanov
The NHL Player Safety Department has determined that Mikko Rantanen, forward for the Dallas Stars, will not face any further sanctions for his foul that resulted in a major penalty for hitting Alexander Romanov, defenseman for the New York Islanders, during Tuesday’s game. Rantanen was ejected from the game after a play involving a hit on Romanov. With less than a minute remaining in regulation time, Rantanen charged Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield and pushed Romanov from behind, sending him into the boards. Romanov had to be helped to get out of the ice.Rantanen, the Stars’ top scorer with 27 points in 20 games, received a five-minute major penalty for hitting, which carries an automatic ejection from the game. Dallas played the final 27.3 seconds without him, and nearly tied the game with a goal that was disallowed for goaltender interference. The Islanders won the game with a score of 3-2. Islanders coach Patrick Roy called the hit “disrespectful” towards his team. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan argued that Rantanen was off balance and did not intend to hit Romanov near the boards.When one of your friends gets injured on the ice, it’s much more important than hockey. We got the two points. We’re happy about that. But our first concern was Romy.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Islanders forward
Rantanen will be available for Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.If you see the play, I think Mayfield holds Rants and they actually get their skates tangled. So Rants is also going off balance as he enters there. If you were playing the game and were off balance, you would normally extend your hands.
Glen Gulutzan, Stars coach
