Rangers vs. Devils opens with line brawl

Rempe squares off in first meeting since illegal elbow

The New York Rangers and visiting New Jersey Devils started Wednesday night’s game with a brawl involving all 10 players on the ice just after the opening faceoff.

The main event was Rangers forward Matt Rempe taking on New Jersey’s Kurtis MacDermid, with the two having history from the previous time the Devils visited Madison Square Garden on March 11. That night, Rempe refused MacDermid’s offer to fight early in the game.

Later in the contest, Rempe knocked Devils defenceman Jonas Siegenthaler out of the game with a high elbow and was subsequently suspended for four games.

Rempe and MacDermid fought the longest Wednesday as their tussle continued after the other four fights had ended. Four players from each team received game misconducts two seconds into the game, which New York won 4-3.

Along with Rempe, New York defencemen Jacob Trouba and K’Andre Miller and forward Barclay Goodrow were ejected from the game. New Jersey defencemen Kevin Bahl and John Marino, and forwards Chris Tierney and MacDermid also received early exits.

Miller fought Marino, Trouba battled Tierney, Goodrow went against Bahl and Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey fought New Jersey’s Curtis Lazar. Vesey and Lazar remained in the game since they fought first and didn’t receive additional punishment.

All 10 players also received fiveminute fighting penalties.

New York’s Will Cuylle also fought New Jersey’s Dawson Mercer at the 4:27 mark of the first period after Cuylle hit the Devils’ Brendan Smith into the boards.

Jenner, wife suffer loss of child

Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner’s wife, Maggie, delivered a stillborn baby on Sunday, the couple said in a statement released by the club.

The Jenners said Wednesday they are at a loss for words over the pain that’s nothing like they’ve experienced before after the death of their son, Dawson.

“As heartbroken as we are, we are incredibly grateful to be his parents and look forward to holding him again one day in heaven,” they said. “We are thankful and feel blessed for the outpouring of love and support from our family and friends. We appreciate everyone respecting our privacy as we navigate this extremely difficult time.”

Jenner, 30, has played his entire NHL career with the Blue Jackets. The Dorchester, Ont., native was named captain three years ago.