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Matt Rempe ‘got no issue with’ being Rangers villain as Capitals blast rookie for ‘dirty hit’ against Trevor van Riemsdyk

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Kaushani Chatterjee | Last updated 4/28/24

Matt Rempe once again gets under the NHL spotlight following his hit against Washington Capitals Trevor van Riemsdyk. The play sparked controversy in the hockey world as the Caps called out the rookie for a late hit on the blue line. He was called for interference after the body check but no official discipline has been handed down yet.

Rempe later talked about his hit and whether he felt accountable for Riemsdyk going into IL. The hit took place as Reimsdyk shot the puck in the corner and was ready to turn when Rempe knocked him into the wall over the blue line. No major penalty was given.

Rempe noted that his job is to finish hits and be hard on the forechecks and that’s what he’s been doing. Even after watching the replay of the incident he claimed, “I thought everything was tucked. Everything was clean, compact.” Matt Rempe emphasized how it was not an intentional hit to make him get hurt, but just his style of play,

Obviously you never want anyone to get hurt, and that’s terrible that he’s hurt and I’m sorry to hear about that. But I think it was a clean hit. I was just trying to play hard, move my feet, and be physical. Matt Rempe as per Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Does Matt Rempe mind being the #NYR villain?

“I got no issue with it,” No. 73 said. “In New York, they love it when I’m playing hard. If we go on the road and they don’t like it, I mean, you’re playing hard, you’re playing physical. It’s good. I have no issue with that.”
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) April 27, 2024

He further added that he makes sure to watch every clip of his hits to make sure how he is playing on the ice since “I’m so big”. Even earlier in the season, the forward became a controversial player for his hits and physicality.

Capitals call out Matt Rempe for his hits during on-ice games

Despite Matt Rempe being confident about his play and with no major penalties till now, the Washington Capitals are not very pleased with his actions. Caps defenceman John Carlson blasted saying, “I’m sick and tired of losing defenceman to quote, ‘clean’ hits though.”

It was the Capitals’ fourth player to go into IL following Rasmus Sandin , Nick Jensen , and Vincent Iorio. Forward Nic Dowd called Rempe’s hit “ dirty” and noted how “a player took advantage of another player in a vulnerable spot.” Carlson further added,

Whether it’s the end of the regular season or the playoffs, it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating how guys can get injured and it’s legal. John Carlson as per Sammi Sibler of The Hockey News.

Matt Rempe was called for interference on this hit against Trevor Van Riemsdyk pic.twitter.com/hg5XP2OAMX
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 26, 2024

Here's Spencer Carbery's take on Matt Rempe's hit on Trevor van Riemsdyk from last night.
"I think it's really close, on a bunch of different fronts." pic.twitter.com/rDMxvP8vt3
— Bailey Johnson (@BaileyAJohnson_) April 27, 2024

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery also called Rempe’s hit “ pretty late” and ruled out Riemsdyk for Game 4 and further. He expressed how “you hate to see” a player get body checked so heavily and with no major penalties being called. But he believes the league will take care of this matter and make a suitable ruling.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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