Stars' Mikko Rantanen Slapped with Automatic 1-Game Suspension After Second Ejection in 3 Games

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Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen has been handed an automatic one-game suspension by the NHL for his second major penalty and ejection in a span of just three games. The Finnish forward's 10-year NHL career has not been without controversy, with this suspension coming after he checked Calgary's Matt Coronato into the boards late in the second period of their 3-2 shootout victory. Coronato suffered a cut to his nose but managed to return to the game. The NHL's Department of Player Safety issued a statement explaining that a player is automatically suspended for a game when they receive two game misconduct penalties or ejections within 41 consecutive games played. Rantanen had previously avoided suspension despite receiving a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for hitting Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov face-first into the boards. Stars coach Glen Gulutzan defended Rantanen's actions, suggesting that he was clipped by Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield's skate and was attempting to regain balance before the contact with Romanov. However, the league's punishment was announced without a hearing, with Rantanen now set to miss a game due to his second ejection in a short span. Rantanen, who has been traded twice in the past season, is having a solid campaign with the Stars, boasting 28 points in 22 games. The 29-year-old's suspension is a setback for the team, but it remains to be seen how it will impact their performance in the coming days.