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Raanta denies Finnish report: ‘I have never said anything like that’

Antti Raanta

Antti Raanta

AP

Former Blackhawks’ goaltender Antti Raanta refuted a report by Ilta-Sanomat, which said he was cheering against Chicago during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

According to the Finnish newspaper, Raanta had hoped the Nashville Predators would sweep the Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.

“With fingers crossed I hoped (Nashville) would beat us in four so I could get back to Finland sooner. I was so pissed,” Raanta said per Vesa Rantanen.

When reached by Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times, Raanta denied the comments.

“I have never said anything like that,” he said.

The 26-year-old appeared in 14 games with the Blackhawks last season posting a 7-4-1 record to go along with a 2.39 G.A.A. and a .918 save percentage. Raanta was demoted to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs in favor of Scott Darling in February.

Instead of staying with the IceHogs during the Calder Cup playoffs, Chicago recalled Raanta to be the club’s third string goaltender.

“I’m not that kind of guy that I would say something like that, and hope my team to lose, even if I’m not paying goalie,” Raanta said.

Chicago dealt Raanta to the New York Rangers in June.

For those wondering, the Rangers open their regular season schedule on Oct. 7 in Chicago.

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