Difference Between Varlamov & Sorokin EAST MEADOW, NY -- There were a few incidents between the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-adam-pelech-brendan-gallagher-patrick-roy-hickey-subban] and their cross-town rival, New York Rangers, on Tuesday night. At 8:51 of the third period, Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad collided with Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech in the neutral zone. What seemed like a clear accidental collision sparked words from Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette. "He came back at the end, from that vicious hit," Laviolette said. "Yeah, he came back. That vicious shoulder/elbow to the head. Watch it." He later said he felt that Pelech's end of the exchange was deliberate." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NjY1NjczNzEwNDEzMjUz/usatsi_22986017.jpg] Islanders head coach Patrick Roy was baffled by the rival's words. "Accidental? You’re right. No, it was accidental," Roy said after the game. "The referee [Kelly Sutherland] was in a really good position to see it. I think Kelly (Sutherland) was in a really good position to see everything, and he made it clear right away that it was accidental. But sometimes frustration makes you say things.” On Thursday morning, Pelech spoke on what happened. "It was completely unintentional. And I hope Mika is okay," Pelech said. "I think if the camera showed me at all after the collision, you could tell that I felt sick about it because he didn't look good going down and getting up off the ice. It was completely unintentional, and I hope he's okay. Zibanejad took part in the Rangers' morning skate on Thursday ahead of their game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Pelech was shocked to hear what Laviolette said postgame. "Yeah, I was surprised. I just was following the play up the ice. They had the puck. I stopped in the neutral zone to see what was going on. I was looking up ice the whole time." One incident down, another one to go. With 15 seconds to play in regulation, Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson hit Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck into the boards from behind, but no call was made on the play. Trochek was beyond furious, and so was Laviolette, who had more words to share. "Vicious. From behind," Laviolette said. Could and should it have been a penalty? Yeah, probably, a two-minute minor. As John Sterling would say, "That's hockey, Susan." “I think it’s what, 15 seconds left in the game, the puck is up in the air. I think he should expect that we were going to go after this one," Roy said postgame. "And I think Noah tried to lay off on him and tried to go for the hit sideways. He just finished his check on him. Even Trocheck had a chance — he’s the one that gave us the puck. And then we scored on that play afterward.” Dobson said Thursday morning that, like Pelech, there was no intent to cause an injury on the play. "It's just a hockey play," Dobson said. "In my mind, we're trying to battle to win a game, trying to get into a playoff spot. The intensity is high. I'm just trying to go for the puck, and he falls, and I'm glad he's okay. I'm not trying to hurt anyone. I'm glad he was able to get up, but it's a hockey play. "The intensity is high. It's not like I have the intent to try to make a vicious play on him into the boards and hurt him. I think it's just one of those plays in the moment. It's a battle. So, that's the way it goes. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NjY1NjkzMDM3NzY2MTcz/usatsi_22986440.jpg] As for what Laviolette had to say: "I don't care too much about what other teams' coaches are saying. I mean, we got enough to focus on, with Montreal tonight. Coaches are gonna protect their players. Our coaches, they're gonna protect our players. But yeah, I mean, I haven't given any thought to it. I'm just focused on trying to play a good game tonight. The Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30 PM ET. TOP STORIES
