REPORT: Rangers’ hulking rookie ejected for brutal hit that bloodied Devils forward

Matt Rempe’s blockbuster tour resumed Thursday in Newark.

Rempe shoved Nathan Bastian along the boards on his first shift in the Rangers’ 5-1 victory over the Devils at the Prudential Center, knocking the New Jersey forward and breaking his stick in the same action.

Bastian’s head received the brunt of the blow, which sent him directly to the Devils’ locker room.

Jonas Siegenthaler took exception and quickly confronted Rempe, who defeated the Devils defenseman with two punches.

Rempe, a 6-foot-8 ½ forward, received a roughing and match penalty, ending his night.

 

Matt Rempe #73 of the New York Rangers checks Nathan Bastian #14 of the New Jersey Devils into the boards, earning a match penalty.

 

Matthew Rempe was given a match penalty for this hit on Nate Bastian pic.twitter.com/2AzdNRJncW

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 23, 2024

 

 

Matt Rempe landed a strong hit early in the first period.
Bill Kostroun

 

 

Nathan Bastian fell to the ice nearly immediately after sustaining the hit.

The Devils fans in attendance booed Rempe, who then put his palm to his ear as he exited the ice.

“That’s just a huge man. Everything is down. There’s nothing wrong,” remarked head coach Peter Laviolette following the game in which Rempe received a match penalty. “Never raised his arm. I’m delighted [Bastian] came back to play and wasn’t wounded. Nobody wants to see somebody hurt, but it’s just tough.

“He’s a huge person. He was full speed forward and kept everything down, attempting to plow through the body and I’m sure hitting everything. It’s a tough decision. We’ll check into it and see.”

 

Nathan Bastian, a New Jersey Devils forward, sits on the ice after being hit by New York Rangers center Matt Rempe.
AP

 

Rempe was removed from the game.
After returning to the ice, Sebastian was hit again by Jacob Trouba in the second period.