‘I’m a grown man, I can stand up for myself’: Rantanen reportedly responds to Roy’s threat

A lot of discord has been made on what happened between the Dallas Stars and New York Islanders on Nov. 18.

In the final minute of that game, Stars forward Mikko Rantanen laid a vicious hit on Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov. Rantanen’s actions earned him a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct.

The hit drew the ire of Islanders head coach Patrick Roy. The Hall of Fame goaltender was sure to let Rantanen know how he felt about the incident, apparently saying, “You’re not going to f—ing finish that game,” referencing the Stars and Isles’ rematch in late March on Long Island.

In an interview with ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, Rantanen wasn’t agast by the backlash that occurred in the following days after the hit.

“Usually if something happens,” Rantanen explained. “If somebody gets pissed off, the media picks it up. So, I’m not really surprised it got so big.”

Rantanen also stated that, while the two sides won’t meet again for another three months, he’s not all that concerned about what will happen on March 26.

“No, no, no. I’m just going to play there, play hard, play hockey and see what comes at me. But I’m a grown man. So I can stand up for myself.”

The hit had ramifications for the Isles, as Romanov was pronounced out 5-6 months with a shoulder injury that has required surgery.

It wouldn’t be the only time Rantanen would be tossed out of a game last month. Just two games later, against the Calgary Flames, he laid another dangerous hit on the Flames’ Matt Coronato, resulting in another game misconduct. Since his two ejections came less than a week apart, Rantanen received an automatic one-game suspension.

Regardless of the consequences the 29-year-old has endured this season, he’s still one of the league’s top scorers. In 26 games, he has notched 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points, sitting seventh in the NHL in points.

The Stars (17-5-5) are set to visit the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night.