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Rangers fourth liner Matt Rempehas earned his fair share of penalties, but his enforcer reputation has also led to him having a very short leash with refs around the league, and it’s resulted in some questionable calls against him.
That’s been the case in back-to-back games now.
The first came on Tuesday night in Winnipeg when Rempe was whistled for a two minute goalie interference penalty after making contact with Connor Hellebuyck because he was pushed into the crease by Jets forward Morgan Barron.
Head coach Peter Laviolettedidn’t agree with the call, and he made that clear on the bench.
The argument was to no avail, though, as the man advantage stood and the Jets' power-play cashed in minutes later when Gabe Villardi found the back of the net for what ended up being the game-winning goal.
“They’re saying they want to protect the goalies, but I don't know,” Laviolette said postgame.
Lo and behold, two days later, the Rangers found themselves in the same predicament as Rempe was called for interference early in the third period against the Wild when it was actually Minnesota’s Devin Shore who made contact with him.
The Rangers ended up paying for it on the scoreboard again, as Marcus Johansson broke in and beat Igor Shesterkin with a wicked wrister for the game-tying goal in the dying seconds of the power-play.
Make that two games, four penalty minutes, two goals against -- zero penalties actually committed.
“The size of him and the way he plays the game, it just draws attention,” Laviolette said. “It’s unfortunate because sometimes like tonight he’s not really doing anything and he’s in the box and it can come back and bite ya.”
Thankfully it didn’t bite New York too bad in this one, as they were able to pull out a massive two points on Braden Schneider’s overtime goal -- but they can’t keep finding themselves down a man in these big games down the stretch.
Tied with Columbus for the second Wild Card spot with just 16 games to go, every point is critical moving forward.
Following Friday's morning skate, Laviolette insinuated that they have spoken to the league about the issue.
"There's always conversations that go on," he told reporters including Vince Mercogliano of USA Today Sports. "The game happens fast out there. But with regards to Matt, we're trying to get him the benefit of the doubt once in a while."
Continue reading...
That’s been the case in back-to-back games now.
The first came on Tuesday night in Winnipeg when Rempe was whistled for a two minute goalie interference penalty after making contact with Connor Hellebuyck because he was pushed into the crease by Jets forward Morgan Barron.
Head coach Peter Laviolettedidn’t agree with the call, and he made that clear on the bench.
The argument was to no avail, though, as the man advantage stood and the Jets' power-play cashed in minutes later when Gabe Villardi found the back of the net for what ended up being the game-winning goal.
“They’re saying they want to protect the goalies, but I don't know,” Laviolette said postgame.
Lo and behold, two days later, the Rangers found themselves in the same predicament as Rempe was called for interference early in the third period against the Wild when it was actually Minnesota’s Devin Shore who made contact with him.
The Rangers ended up paying for it on the scoreboard again, as Marcus Johansson broke in and beat Igor Shesterkin with a wicked wrister for the game-tying goal in the dying seconds of the power-play.
Make that two games, four penalty minutes, two goals against -- zero penalties actually committed.
“The size of him and the way he plays the game, it just draws attention,” Laviolette said. “It’s unfortunate because sometimes like tonight he’s not really doing anything and he’s in the box and it can come back and bite ya.”
Thankfully it didn’t bite New York too bad in this one, as they were able to pull out a massive two points on Braden Schneider’s overtime goal -- but they can’t keep finding themselves down a man in these big games down the stretch.
Tied with Columbus for the second Wild Card spot with just 16 games to go, every point is critical moving forward.
Following Friday's morning skate, Laviolette insinuated that they have spoken to the league about the issue.
"There's always conversations that go on," he told reporters including Vince Mercogliano of USA Today Sports. "The game happens fast out there. But with regards to Matt, we're trying to get him the benefit of the doubt once in a while."
Continue reading...
