Rangers Rookie Matt Rempe, who made his NHL debut against the Islanders at the stadium series game, made a hit on Devils forward Nathan Bastian just 10 seconds into his first shift of the game. The officials game him a major and match penalty for illegal check to the head.
Fan reaction to the call was mixed, with many saying the play should not have been a match penalty. Some went so far as to say the hit was clean. Notably, Rempe is 6'8". Bastian is no small guy himself at 6'4", but he was hunched over, making himself vulnerable to the hit.
Regardless, referees do not care what the fans think. Despite the call however, the Rangers lead the game 1-0 half way through the first period.
