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 receive any further sanctions for his hit against Alexander Romanov, defenseman for the New York Islanders, which occurred on Tuesday. Rantanen was ejected from the game that the Stars lost to the Islanders after an impact that injured Romanov. With less than a minute remaining in regulation time, Rantanen performed a check against Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield and pushed Romanov from behind, sending him violently into the boards. Romanov was helped off the ice, and the Islanders offered no update on his health status after the game, other than to mention that he did not have to be transported to the hospital.Rantanen, the Stars’ top scorer with 27 points in 20 games, received a five-minute major penalty for the hit, which carries an automatic ejection from the game. Dallas played the last 27.3 seconds without him, almost tying the game with a goal with 0.1 seconds remaining, which was disallowed by the NHL Situation Room for interference with the goalie. New York won an emotional game 3-2. Islanders coach Patrick Roy, who launched a profane tirade against Rantanen when he left the ice, said the hit was “disrespectful” to his team.When one of your friends gets hurt 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
Finally, the NHL saw the play as Stars coach Glen Gulutzan did, arguing that Rantanen simply lost his balance and did not intend to hit Romanov near the boards.What I’m going to say is that when you see the number, you have to avoid it. Everyone knows it. You don’t go over the guy.
Patrick Roy, Islanders coach
Rantanen will be available when the Stars face the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.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 played the game and you’re off balance, you usually put your hands down.
Glen Gulutzan, Stars coach
