Stars’ Rantanen Gets Automatic One-Game Suspension for Boarding

Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen has been suspended one game after picking up a major penalty for boarding.

Rantanen was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding Calgary Flames forward Matt Coronato during Saturday’s game.  Coronato left the ice for evaluation but did return to the game.

 

 

The Stars forward was penalized for boarding New York Islanders defenseman Alex Romanov just four days earlier, earning a major penalty and a game misconduct.

While the NHL’s Department of Player Safety opted not to issue any supplemental discipline – neither a fine nor suspension – for either hit, the NHL rule book calls for an automatic one-game ban.  Per Rule 23.6:

Any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconduct penalties in the “Physical Infractions Category”, before playing in 41 consecutive regular season League games without such penalty, shall be suspended automatically for the next League game of his team. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty, the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.

If Rantanen picks up another major and game for a physical infraction (e.g., boarding, charging, elbowing, interference, kneeing) before playing 41 more games, the penalty will increase to an automatic two-game ban.

When a player has played in 41 consecutive regular League games without being assessed a major and a game misconduct in the “Physical Infractions Category”, he will have the previous game misconduct penalties removed from his current record. They will remain part of his historical record.

Rantanen currently leads the NHL with 57 penalty minutes — 39 of which have come in his past three games.

The Dallas forward has not previously been suspended in his 674-game career with the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Stars.  He was fined $2,000 last week for diving/embellishment. 

The Stars went on to fall to the Flames in a shootout. Officials for the game were referees Brandon Blandina (#39) and Francois St. Laurent (#8) with linespersons Kyle Flemington (#55) and Ben O’Quinn (#91).