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Rangers' Matt Rempe has three fights in five games, also putting up points
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- Rangers' Matt Rempe has three fights in five games, also putting up points
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.
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And Rempe fought again on Sunday, giving him three fights in his first five games.
Saturday, 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.
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"We're throwing bombs. Long tilt," Rempe said. "He's a great warrior, but I love it."
Rempe's game-winning goal came at 6:31 of the third period to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. He 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.
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"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."
Did Matt Rempe fight on Sunday?
Once again, an opponent talked to Rempe as he stretched near the red line during pregame warmups. This time, it was the Columbus Blue Jackets ' Mathieu Olivier and the two dropped the gloves on their first shift. The 6-1, 217 Olivier got the upper hand in the fight.
In the second period, Rempe assisted on fellow 6-7 forward Adam Edstrom 's goal. The Rangers lost 4-2 as their 10-game winning streak ended.
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The Rangers and Blue Jackets play again Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
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. He had four assists each season.
Matt Rempe's NHL career through five 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
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Game 5 vs. Blue Jackets:4:58 ice time, five penalty minutes, one assist
Total:A little over 20 minutes, 32 penalty minutes, 10 hits, four shots, one goal (a game-winner), one assist.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Rempe fights Nicolas Deslauriers, Mathieu Olivier in last 2 games
