In a heated NHL matchup, Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars was ejected following a violent incident involving Matt Coronato of the Calgary Flames. The incident occurred during the second period when Rantanen collided with Coronato, hitting him from behind near the boards.
Coronato fell to the ice and remained there for several seconds, visibly in pain. Blood was seen on his face as he eventually skated off the ice in a hunched position. The altercation prompted Flames’ player Jonathan Huberdeau to confront Rantanen, leading to a physical altercation between the two players.
Incident Details
- Player Involved: Mikko Rantanen (Dallas Stars)
- Player Injured: Matt Coronato (Calgary Flames)
- Additional Player: Jonathan Huberdeau (Calgary Flames)
- Game Period: Second Period
- Score at Time of Incident: Calgary Flames led 2-1
Penalties Issued
- Rantanen received a game misconduct, resulting in his ejection from the game.
- Huberdeau was penalized with a 2+5+10 minute penalty for his actions against Rantanen.
This marked Rantanen’s second ejection in just one week. He had previously been penalized for a similar infraction against New York Islanders’ Alexander Romanov. In that incident, Rantanen also delivered a hit from behind, which led to a game misconduct ruling.
Implications for the Team
The Dallas Stars were forced to readjust their strategy in Rantanen’s absence. The incident not only impacted the game but also raised concerns about player safety and the consequences of aggressive plays in professional hockey.
As the ongoing season progresses, teams will likely monitor Rantanen’s actions closely, and he may face further disciplinary action from the NHL.
