Referee Brandon Blandina reportedly apologized to New York Rangers winger Matt Rempe for ‘a mistake’ on an interference call against the 6’8″ forward. 

“The ref came up and apologized in the third to me,” Rempe said after Friday’s practice. “He came up and said it just looked bad from his angle. He said he just made a mistake. You make mistakes. That’s what happens. It is what it is. ”

“I’m a polarizing figure, per se, with that stuff, and I guess that stuff happens. Just try to keep working on my game because I think it’s coming along nicely.”

Rempe was whistled for interference after he was run into by Devin Shore. The Wild center went down, the ref’s arm went up, and Rempe headed to the box.

 

 

Minnesota took advantage, scoring the game-tying goal on the ensuing power play.

“The guy just ran into me,” Rempe said of his collision with Shore. “I didn’t see him, but I know I’m a big guy who plays a physical game.”

His reputation came into play during the Rangers’ game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Rempe was whistled for goaltender interference after he was pushed into Jets’ netminder Connor Hellebuyck by Winnipeg forward Morgan Barron.

Former Rangers Mike Rupp and Brian Boyle broke down the recent calls against Rempe.

 


 

New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette was asked if the Rangers had reached out to the league about the recent calls against Rempe. 

“There’s always conversations that go on,” Laviolette said. “The game happens fast out there. But with regard to Matt, we’re just trying to get him the benefit of the doubt once in a while.  The size of him, the way he plays the game, it just draws attention. It’s unfortunate because sometimes, like tonight, he’s not really doing anything and he’s in the box.”

Rempe knows he needs to stay the course and play his game. 

“I’m still getting lots of hits every game, but I’m making sure they aren’t from behind and my elbow’s tucked − just because I know if I do that, then that’s gonna get me in trouble,” he said. “But my game has to lead with speed and physicality. When I’m doing that, that means I’m gonna be around the puck. That means I’m gonna be making plays, and everything builds from that. If I start going around and trying to be cautious, that’s not me. That’s not my game.”

The New York Rangers went on to defeat the Minnesota Wild 3-2. Referees for the game were Brandon Blandina (#39) and Peter MacDougall (#38) with linespersons C.J. Murray (#68) and Libor Suchanek (#60).