Islanders Triumph Over Stars Amidst Injury Concerns
In a tense matchup on Tuesday night, the New York Islanders emerged victorious against the Dallas Stars with a score of 3-2, marking a significant 5-1-0 record on their demanding road trip. However, the celebration was overshadowed by concern for defenseman Alexander Romanov following a dangerous incident late in the game.
Controversial Hit and Immediate Aftermath
As the third period wound down, Stars forward Mikko Rantanen delivered a controversial hit from behind on Romanov, who subsequently collided face-first with the boards near the Islanders’ goal. The hit sparked immediate concern on the ice, prompting game officials to halt play with only 27.3 seconds remaining, so medical staff could attend to a visibly distressed Romanov. Rantanen received a five-minute major penalty for boarding and was issued a game misconduct for the incident.
Coaches and Players React
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy expressed his hope for Romanov’s recovery, emphasizing the need for player safety when incidents involve hits from behind.
“When you see the numbers on a player, you have to let up. Everyone knows that; you can’t just go through a player like that,”
Roy commented, while reflecting on the situation’s seriousness.
After the game, it was reported by Newsday’s Andrew Gross that Romanov remained in the arena and did not require immediate transportation for further medical evaluation, although the atmosphere within the Islanders’ locker room captured a blend of worry and frustration regarding the incident.
Team Sentiments
Calum Ritchie, who netted his first goal as an Islander earlier in the evening, shared his sentiments:
“That was a tough play at the end, but thankfully we secured the win for him.”
Defenseman Ryan Pulock echoed the same concerns, describing the hit as
“not pretty”
from the bench. Veteran player Jean-Gabriel Pageau highlighted the emotional toll the play took on the team, stating,
“When one of your friends gets hurt on the ice, it’s far more significant than the game itself.”
Pageau added,
“We got our two points, but our primary concern was for Romy, and everything else was secondary.”
Looking Ahead
As the Islanders look ahead, their thoughts remain firmly rooted in the health and safety of their teammate, underlining the camaraderie and care that exists among the players beyond the competitive nature of the sport.
