Matt Rempe and other Rangers describe a ‘wicked line brawl’ with Devils
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TARRYTOWN — A smiling Matt Rempe entered the Rangers’ locker at the MSG Training Center after Thursday’s optional training, looked at the reporters and said simply: “That was an absolute banger.”
He was describing something, of course. The line brawl that erupted As soon as the puck fell in the 4-3 win on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, there was a battle between the Blueshirts versus the Devils.
It was no surprise to hear Rempe, who was animated in his narration, drop the gloves and squash the beef he had with New Jersey enforcer Kurtis McDermid. But the way the fight played out with four other fights erupting at the same time had the 6-foot-8 novice grinning from ear-to ear.
“Those guys were my brothers,” said he. “That wasn’t anything planned.” It just happened naturally. I also thought that it was very special. I knew I would have to fight. It’s not a big deal − answer the bell type of thing. It happens, but to have them go to war with was pretty special. … I love all those guys.”
It was a moment of inspiration for the Rangers, who are heading to the playoffs.
“I would be lying if i said it wasn’t team-building exercise,” said Jacob Trouba, a Ranger’s fighter who was one of the four players who were then thrown out of the game. “We are all in this together. He is not left alone. We’re all there with him.
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It was wicked
The Rempe-MacDermid fight had been building for weeks.
MacDermid was not even with the Devils at the time Rempe slashed Nathan Bastian to death and drew a bloody wound in the eye. Rangers’ 5-1 victory in Newark on February 22The 21-year old was still able to challenge him during the next match between the two rivals, which took place on Mar. 11. Rempe didn’t fall for the bait. He was then assessed a game misconduct penalty after elbowing and concussing Jersey defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler.
This resulted in the suspension of four gamesMacDermid called him out publicly for not upholding “the code” after the match.
Peter Laviolette, the Rangers’ coach, said: “Me personally I don’t believe he had a fight after the first strike (on Bastian).” “He had a good hit on someone.” It got charged in the game, but then the league came back and said there’s really nothing here – just a big man hitting hard. Then, the second match happened.”
Rempe apologized for the attack Siegenthaler was injured and called it “an accident”. He also said that he had no issue with MacDermid standing in support of his teammate.
He knew it was going to be a good game when both Laviolette, and Devils coach Travis Green, chose to send their fourth lines out.
“MacDermid was like, ‘We’re going right now,'” Rempe recalled as they lined up for the opening faceoff. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, I know. I think we’re doing this for a reason. … It was wicked.”
As the two hulking brawlers squared up with one another, the other Rangers on the ice − Trouba, Barclay Goodrow, K’Andre Miller and Jimmy Vesey − spontaneously found their own dancing partners.
For a variety of reasons, these fights ended relatively quickly. The heavyweight fight between Rempe and MacDermid lasted for almost a minute-and-a-half.
“That was a tough fight,” said Rempe. He called MacDermid the “biggest and strongest” opponent that he has yet faced. “He’s an extremely tough customer. This guy is a big man. Strong has been one of the toughest players in the league for many years, and he still has his job. You have to respect that.”
‘He found it out’
Once the dust settled, all 10 skaters − which included Kevin Bahl, Curtis Lazar, John Marino, Chris Tierney for the Devils − headed to the penalty box to serve what they figured would be five-minute majors.
They were surprised to learn that the NHL has a rule that says “any player who receives a major penalty after an altercation will be subject to a game misconduct penalty.”
The first two players to engage in combat were Vesey & Lazar. This meant that the eight other players were ejected.
“I thought that I was going have a good time in the penalty box (with the fellas),” Rempe said. “We were going cuddle up in there and get cozy, having a good experience,” Rempe said. But then we go in there, and they’re like, ‘You’re gone.’ I was like, ‘you’re kidding me?’ I didn’t know that was a law. I was like, ‘Dang it. I was like, ‘Dang it.’ “
Rempe, Goodrow Miller and Trouba retired to the locker room where they worked out and were entertained by an amped-up rookie.
“I was bouncing around, running about, doing flips,” Rempe exclaimed with another big grin. “You can see all the comments posted on social media. They were funny. They were funny. It was cool.”
Rempe, after watching the replays, was most impressed with Miller who dominated Marino in his debut fight.
Miller described the incident with a cool demeanor.
“I was watching fireworks go off and all of a suddenly I saw one their guys come over on our side of the ice,” said he. “He looked at me, kind gave me a nod, and I was like, ‘Eh, why not?’ I thought that it was a bad idea. I guess he discovered.”
Enjoying life to the fullest
The locker room buzzed about the event the following day, with Rempe as the most enthusiastic of them all.
Laviolette grinned and said, “He’s enjoying his best life now.”
The Calgary native has been bringing a refreshing enthusiasm and candor to the industry since His memorable debut The NHL Stadium Series is taking place at MetLife Stadium. He’s enjoying himself, but with only six games left in the regular-season, he wants to cement his place in the lineup.
Laviolette said he would have the opportunity to do so in these final weeks. This would add entertainment value and excitement as we near the end.
“I want the coaching staff to see that I can be an effective player in the playoffs,” said Rempe. He has played in 14 games but only accumulated 76 total minutes of ice time. “I have to work every day. When I wasn’t playing, I worked with the coaches and tried to get better.
“I want to become a good player.” I don’t just want to be known as someone who fights. I want to be known as a guy who’s tough, but I want to be known as a guy who, ‘Wow, this guy is a very effective bottom-six forward who can skate, be really good checker, can be physical, be good defensively, maybe eventually be a penalty killer one day.’ That’s who I want to be.”
Vincent Z. Mercogliano, the New York Rangers beat journalist for USA TODAY Network. You can read more of his work here. lohud.com/sports/rangers/ Follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
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