Capitals’ van Riemsdyk exits after big hit from Rangers’ Rempe

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It didn’t take Matt Rempe long to make headlines in Game 3.

The controversial rookie has made waves around the league for his bruising style of play, and the New York Rangers forward did it again on Friday.

With eight minutes remaining in the first period, Rempe crushed Washington Capitals defenceman Trevor van Riemsdyk behind the Capitals net.

Rempe appeared to catch van Riemsdyk in the head area with his elbow. The Capitals forward headed straight to the team’s locker room and was ruled out after the first period with an upper-body injury.

Rempe was assessed a two-minute minor for interference for the hit.

In the second period, Capitals alternate captain Tom Wilson tried to fight Rempe after an icing. Wilson appeared incensed when Rempe refused to drop the gloves.

It’s not the first time the 21-year-old forward has been the subject of a controversial hit. He was suspended four games on March 12 for elbowing New Jersey Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler.

The next time the Devils and Rangers met, Rempe was ejected in the first 10 seconds of the game after being the main event in a line brawl.

Rempe finished with 71 penalty minutes in 12 regular season games.

With his penalty Friday, Rempe now has one minor penalty in each of the Rangers’ first three playoff games to go along with one goal.