New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe not only made his NHL debut outdoors in the Stadium Series, he and the New York Islanders’ Matt Martin fought in the rookie’s first shift before the puck even hit the ice on a faceoff.
Rempe, 21, managed to top that in his fourth NHL game as he fought Philadelphia Flyers tough guy Nicolas Deslauriers, 33, and scored the winning goal during a 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon.
The fight came first. Deslauriers challenged him before the game as the two warmed up, Rempe told ABC, and he agreed.
This time, Rempe’s first shift lasted nine seconds as the 6-foot-7, 241-pound Rempe and the 6-1, 220-pound Deslauriers dropped the gloves, sized each other up and went at it three minutes into the first period. The fight lasted an unusually long 37 seconds with several dozen punches thrown or landed.
Deslauriers eventually knocked Rempe to the ice, but the Flyers forward ended up with a cut on his forehead.
‘We’re throwing bombs. Long tilt,’ Rempe said. ‘He’s a great warrior, but I love it.’
The goal came at 6:31 of the third period to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. Rempe was screening Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson when Barclay Goodrow’s deflection banked in off Rempe’s leg. Goodrow was originally listed as the scorer, but it was later changed to Rempe.
‘Probably the ugliest first goal in NHL history, but I’ll take it,’ Rempe said after the game. ‘It’s just unreal. I’m having a blast.’
The goal ended up being the winner as the Rangers extended their winning streak to a franchise-record 10 games.
According to hockeyfights.com, Rempe had 16 fights over two seasons in the American Hockey League before his call-up. He also had six goals last season and eight goals this season in the AHL.
Here is Rempe’s NHL career through four games:
Game 1 vs. Islanders: 4:26 ice time, five penalty minutes
Game 2 vs. Dallas Stars: 5:08 ice time, seven hits
Game 3 vs. New Jersey Devils: 13 seconds ice time, 17 penalty minutes, ejection for hit on Nathan Bastian
Game 4 vs. Flyers: 5:16 ice time, five penalty minutes, one goal
Total: A little over 15 minutes, 27 penalty minutes, 10 hits, three shots, one goal, one game-winning goal.
‘Very eventful first week. I’m loving it,’ he told ABC. ‘I want to bring that physicality, that edge to the team, bring speed, fly in there, bang bodies, go to the net and I think I’m doing that. I’m having so much fun.’