Rangers’ Rempe given match penalty for hit to Bastian’s head

New York Rangers rookie Matt Rempe was ejected in the first period of Thursday’s clash against the New Jersey Devils for a hit to the head of Nathan Bastian.

The play was determined to be a five-minute major penalty after review.

Thursday’s game was only the third of Rempe’s career. The 6-foot-7 center debuted Sunday at the Stadium Series against the New York Islanders and made headlines for fighting veteran Matt Martin on his first shift.

Rempe was a sixth-round pick of the Rangers in 2020.

Bastian entered the contest with 12 points in 53 games this season. He briefly left after the hit but returned before the end of the opening frame.