During a tense game between the New York Islanders and the Dallas Stars, a controversial boarding hit sent Islanders defenseman Alex Romanov crashing into the boards, leading to his ejection and a heated incident. New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy voiced his frustration with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen, who was penalized for the hit. Roy’s verbal confrontation with Rantan, who was ejected for the incident, sparked a discussion about player safety and the severity of the hit. While the incident sparked controversy, the NHL Department of Player Safety will review the hit, and Rantanen is not expected to face further discipline. The game ended with a 3-2 victory for the Islanders, with the final moments marked by a disputed goal that was waved off for goalie interference.
The incident, which occurred in the final minute of regulation, drew significant attention due to the severity of the hit and the subsequent ejection of Rantanen. After the game, Roy expressed his concerns about Romanov’s condition, stating,