In a heated encounter on November 18, 2025, New York Islanders coach Patrick Roy did not hold back in his criticism of Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen following a controversial hit. The incident occurred late in a tightly contested game, which culminated in a 3-2 victory for the Islanders.
Details of the Incident
The confrontation began with less than a minute remaining in regulation. Rantanen was ejected after delivering a hit that injured Islanders defenseman Alex Romanov. The hit followed Rantanen’s attempt to evade a check from Scott Mayfield, leading to Romanov crashing hard into the end boards.
Injury Report
- Romanov did not require hospital treatment after the game.
- He was assisted off the ice but remained at the arena.
Roy’s Disrespectful Hit Commentary
As Rantanen exited the ice, Roy was heard expressing his anger through ice-level microphones. “You’re not going to f—ing finish that game,” he yelled, possibly alluding to their upcoming rematch in New York. Roy labeled Rantanen’s actions as “disrespectful” and emphasized the need for players to refrain from targeting opponents based on their number.
Responses from Coaches
Following the incident, Roy remarked, “Everybody knows that you don’t go through the guy.” He indicated that, although Rantanen did not typically play in such a manner, the hit should not be part of the game.
In contrast, Stars coach Glen Gulutzan defended Rantanen’s actions, suggesting that the play was a result of an unfortunate collision. He noted that Mayfield’s challenge may have contributed to Rantanen losing his balance, adding, “It’s just one of those hockey plays that happened.”
Game Highlights
The final minute of the game was filled with drama. With only 0.1 seconds on the clock, Dallas appeared to score a tying goal by Wyatt Johnston. However, following a review, the NHL deemed Jason Robertson had interfered with Islands’ goalie David Rittich, negating the goal.
Player Reactions
- Stars captain Jamie Benn expressed disappointment over the review decision.
- He emphasized that while he believed Robertson was pushed, it was ultimately not the call they could alter.
As the NHL’s Department of Player Safety considers all dangerous hits for potential further discipline, the focus now shifts to both the upcoming matches and the well-being of Alex Romanov.
