The line brawl between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils has been the talk of the NHL this week since the absolute show on Wednesday.
All ten players on the ice participated in the fight, which occurred right after the opening faceoff during Wednesday night’s game.
Matt Rempe, the rookie gigant and the new fan favorite in Manhattan, of course, participated, and he was the whole cause of the line brawl.
When the teams last played each other, Devils’ Kurtis MacDermid challenged Rempe early in the game, but the 6’8” rookie declined. Later in the game, Rempe knocked Jonas Siegenthaler with a dirty elbow, which earned him a game misconduct and later a four-game suspension.
MacDermid wanted to fight Rempe after the hit, but he declined again.
But this time, Rempe had no option but to drop the gloves, just as all his teammates on the ice did for the opening faceoff. Rempe and MacDermid fought the longest and postgame, Rempe was thrilled about what happened.
”That was a banger,” he told USA Today on Thursday.
Rempe was, however, disappointed that he was ejected from the game, just like three of his teammates. Eight players were tossed with just two seconds played of the game.
”I thought I was going to have a good five minutes in (the penalty box) with the fellas,” Rempe said. ”We were going to be cuddled up in there, getting cozy and having a good time. … I had no idea that was a rule. I was like, ’Dang it. My TOI didn’t go up that game.’”
According to Vince Z. Mercogliano, Rempe also disclosed exactly what was said between him and Rempe before the fight ensued, and it was absolutely hilarious.
”MacDermid was like, ’We’re going right now.’ I’m like, ’Yeah, I know. I think there’s a reason why we’re starting.’”
Matt Rempe, there’s just no one like him!
