Laviolette blasts Isles for 'vicious' hits on Zibanejad, Trocheck
New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette blasted the New York Islanders following his team's 4-2 loss on Tuesday for a pair of "vicious" hits on Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck.
Both collisions occurred in the third period of the contest.
The first hit involved Zibanejad, who collided with Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech's elbow at center ice. There was no penalty called on the play.
Zibanejad runs into Pelech's elbow, ouch. pic.twitter.com/JctbBVgwNM
- Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 10, 2024
"(Zibanejad) came back at the end from that vicious hit," Laviolette said. "He came back. That vicious shoulder elbow to the head. Watch it."
When asked if he thought the hit was intentional, the bench boss said, "I do."
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy disagreed with Laviolette's assessment.
"The referee was in a really good position to see, and he saw it," Roy said, according to SNY Islanders. "I was more afraid that Pelly might get hurt on that one. (Zibanejad) was the one that hit Pelly. ... It was totally accidental, there was no doubt in my mind."
He added: "Sometimes, frustration makes you say things."
The second hit came in the dying seconds of the game, when Islanders rearguard Noah Dobson shoved Trocheck into the boards right before captain Anders Lee iced the game with an empty-netter.
An incensed Trocheck took up his frustrations with referee Kelly Sutherland after there was no penalty assessed for the collision.
Trocheck gets crushed from behind with no call. Trocheck is pissed!! and has ever right to be. #NYR pic.twitter.com/bP2QXpk0My
- David (@DaveyUpper) April 10, 2024
"Vicious," Laviolette said. "From behind."
"It was hard out there tonight, having to get through all of that. ... But our guys kept fighting and battling until the end," he continued.
The Rangers and Islanders will square off once again on April 13.
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