Mikko Rantanen of the Stars Suspended One Game for Boarding Flames’ Matt Coronato
Mikko Rantanen, a forward for the Dallas Stars, has received a one-game suspension following a series of impactful incidents on the ice. His most recent infraction involved a dangerous hit on Matt Coronato of the Calgary Flames, which occurred during a game on Saturday.
Details of the Incident
In the Stars’ match against the Flames, Rantanen hit Coronato from behind into the boards late in the second period. Coronato suffered a bloody nose and was forced to leave the ice. Although he returned for the third period, the hit prompted immediate action from Flames’ player Jonathan Huberdeau, who confronted Rantanen.
Previous Incidents
- Rantanen previously faced a game misconduct penalty for a hit on New York Islanders defenceman Alexander Romanov just days prior.
- He did not receive a suspension for that incident, which involved sending Romanov face-first into the boards.
- Romanov subsequently went on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury.
League Regulations and Penalties
According to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety (DoPS), players who accumulate two game misconduct penalties before playing 41 consecutive regular-season games without such penalties are automatically suspended for their next match. Rantanen’s ejection against the Flames marks his second significant penalty this season.
Impact on the Team
Rantanen’s suspension comes during a productive season, where he has scored 10 goals and tallied 18 assists in 22 games. However, his aggressive play has also led to a league-leading total of 57 penalty minutes.
As the Dallas Stars prepare for their upcoming game, Rantanen’s absence may impact their strategies on the ice. The team will need to adjust without their key forward as they look to maintain their competitiveness in the league.
