Islanders' Alexander Romanov Out Indefinitely After Brutal Hit by Mikko Rantanen
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New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury sustained in a game against the Dallas Stars. The 25-year-old was hit from behind by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen with just 27 seconds remaining in the Islanders' 3-2 win. Rantanen drew a boarding major penalty and a game misconduct, but the NHL's Department of Player Safety ruled out further disciplinary action. Rantanen expressed remorse for the hit, stating that it was an unfortunate moment and that he never intended to hurt Romanov. However, the incident sparked a heated reaction from Islanders coach Patrick Roy, who yelled at Rantanen as he left the ice. Roy emphasized that players must be mindful of their actions on the ice, particularly when hitting opponents from behind. Romanov, who has 84 career points and a plus-26 rating, has been a key player for the Islanders this season, with an average ice time of 19:27 in 15 games. He missed five games earlier in the season due to a similar upper-body injury. The incident has sparked debate over the dangers of hits from behind in hockey. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan downplayed the severity of the hit, suggesting that Rantanen was off-balance at the time of the collision. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of player safety in the sport.
