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New York Rangers right winger Matt Rempe received a game misconduct for elbowing Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.
About seven minutes into the third period, the Rangers led 2-1 over the Stars. That’s when Rempe skated behind Heiskanen, who was moving the puck out of the Dallas defensive zone.
Rempe hit Heiskanen from behind with a high elbow. Heiskanen took a while to get up. He sat out for about six minutes of play before returning for four more teams.
After the hit, Stars center Roope Hintz rushed toward Rempe to defend his longtime teammate. They both received two-minute minors for brutality. Rempe also received a five-minute major penalty for elbowing and a 10-minute misconduct, ending his night with 5:32 of ice time and five hits.
Despite Rempe’s sending off, the Rangers killed the major penalty and ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Stars 3-1.
“I thought he had a big impact on the game,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. said journalists after. “I’d like to stay away from the five-minute major, but he’s doing his best to hit bodies and make a difference in the game. Our guys really rallied around that at the end.”
This is the Rangers’ fourth ejection in 22 career NHL games. He last received a misconduct for participating in the brawl between the Rangers and the New Jersey Devils on April 3. This came a few weeks after Rempe received a major penalty and possible four-game suspension for elbowing Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler on March 11. And on February 22 against New Jersey again, Rempe received a match penalty for a hit on Nathan Bastian.
This was Rempe’s first game for the Rangers since Nov. 25 against the St. Louis Blues. The Rangers called him up from the AHL, where he recorded three goals, five points and 22 penalty minutes in 18 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
So far in the NHL this season, the 22-year-old has played in five games and recorded one shot and 24 penalty minutes. Last season, he accumulated 71 penalty minutes in 17 games, along with a goal and an assist.
Rempe has averaged 6:15 on ice this season and 5:46 career time.
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