Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen will avoid supplemental discipline for a hit on New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov that earned him a major penalty for boarding.
The incident came in the final minute of Wednesday’s game. Pursuing a loose puck in the Isles end, Rantanen was bumped by defenseman Scott Mayfield before crashing into Romanov, driving his head into the boards.
Romanov remained down on the ice for quite some time before being assisted off. There’s no status on his condition nor timetable for his return.
Referee Gord Dwyer issued a major penalty for boarding on the play – along with a mandatory game misconduct. He reviewed the play with ref Stephen Hiff, confirming the call and sending Rantanen off the ice.
“I obviously never meant to do that,” Rantanen said. “I’ve never done that all my career. I play hard, but I never try to be dirty on purpose. I got clipped a little bit and kept falling forward. Unfortunate moment but never really meant to do it.”
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy – who can be heard screaming at Rantanen in the clip – was furious.
“When you see the numbers, you have to lay off. Everybody knows that. You don’t go through the guy,” Roy said. “No one was happy to see someone get hurt like this. It’s disrespectful for our guy.”
“It’s not [Rantanen’s] style, but at the same time, that should not be part of our game.”
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety, having reviewed the play, opted not to levy any supplemental discipline.
Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan thought that was the correct response based on contact between Mayfield and Rantanen prior to the hit.
“If you watch the play, I think Mayfield holds up [Rantanen] and they actually clip skates, so [Rantanen] is going off-balance going in there too. If you played the game and you’re off-balance, you usually put your hands out,” Gulutzan said.
“I’ve seen Rants play enough in the last 10 years. It’s just one of those hockey plays that happened. I’m hoping Romanov is okay. It’s a dangerous play for everybody.”
Rantanen has not previously been suspended during the course of his 672-NHL-game career. He was fined $2,000 for Diving/Embellishment in 2001, but reportedly had the fine rescinded after writing a strongly-worded letter.
The New York Islanders went on to defeat the Dallas Stars 3-2. Officials for the game were referees Gord Dwyer (#19) and Stephen Hiff (#46) with Ben O’Quinn (#91) and Jonny Murray (#95) manning the lines.