Patrick Roy, head coach of the New York Islanders, confronted Dallas Stars’ Mikko Rantanen following a controversial boarding hit that ejected the forward from the game. The incident occurred during Tuesday night’s matchup, where Rantanen hit Romanov from behind, causing the defenseman to crash headfirst into the boards. This led to a 5-minute major penalty and Rantanen’s ejection.
During the confrontation, Roy was heard shouting at Rantanen, apparently referencing the teams’ next scheduled matchup in New York. Despite calmer demeanor post-game, Roy continued to criticize the hit, expressing hope for Romanov’s well-being and emphasizing the inappropriateness of such actions in hockey. He also highlighted the team’s handling of the situation, noting that no one was happy to see a player injured in such a manner.
Romanov did not require hospitalization, though his condition was initially unknown. The NHL Department of Player Safety will assess the incident, although reports from the Dallas Morning News suggest Rantanen may not face additional penalties. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan defended Rantanen, asserting that his skate was clipped by Islanders’ Scott Mayfield, leading to contact with Romanov. He described the incident as a dangerous play and expressed concern for Romanov’s health.
The game concluded with a 3-2 victory for the New York Islanders, following a controversial call where Wyatt Johnston’s potential game-tying goal was disallowed for goalie interference. The game’s outcome, coupled with the incident, has sparked debate about the NHL’s approach to dangerous plays and player safety.