Patrick Roy Goes Off on Mikko Rantanen After Game Between Islanders and Stars
The New York Islanders coach, Patrick Roy, starred in a moment of tension in the game against the Dallas Stars, launching a series of expletives against forward Mikko Rantanen after a controversial play. The situation unfolded when Rantanen was ejected for an action that injured Islanders defenseman Alex Romanov. With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Rantanen made contact with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield, and pushed Romanov from behind, causing the player to violently hit the boards. Romanov had to be helped off the track, but it was later reported that he did not require hospitalization. Rantanen received a 5-minute major penalty for the action, which led to his automatic ejection from the game. The forward is the Stars’ top scorer, with 27 points in 20 games. As Rantanen was leaving the ice, the microphones caught Roy yelling at him, apparently saying “you’re not going to finish that game”, in what could be a reference to the upcoming matchup between both teams in New York.Roy added that Rantanen’s action was “disrespectful” towards his team. The coach recalled that he knew Rantanen from his time in Colorado, but that this type of action should not be part of the game. The NHL’s Player Safety Department will review the play to determine potential additional sanctions. Dallas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan expressed a different opinion about Rantanen’s action.I hope it’s okay. Right now, I don’t know exactly what it is. But all I’m going to say is that when you see the number, you have to avoid it. Everyone knows it. You’re not going for the guy.
Patrick Roy, coach of the New York Islanders
Gulutzan added that he hoped Romanov was okay and that these types of plays are common in hockey. Rantanen’s ejection was part of a very intense end to the game between the Islanders and Stars. The Stars appeared to tie the score with a goal by Wyatt Johnston with 0.1 seconds left, but the NHL situation room reviewed the play for goaltender interference. The NHL determined that the Stars’ Jason Robertson prevented David Rittich from playing his position in the area before Johnston’s goal. The Stars captain, Jamie Benn, who was playing his first game of the season after an injury, commented that he thought Robo was pushed, but that they couldn’t do anything about it. Gulutzan believed the Stars had a chance to win the review, as the initial decision was a goal.If you see the play, I think Mayfield holds Rants and they actually get their skates tangled. So Rants goes off balance when entering as well. If you were playing the game and were off balance, you’d normally put your hands down.
Glen Gulutzan, coach of the Dallas Stars
