The NHL’s Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers got off to a dramatic — and scary — start.
During the second period of Game 1 on Monday, May 5, Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz took a forearm to the head from the Panthers’ Sam Bennett. No penalty was called on the play.
After staying in the game for a couple of minutes, Stolarz, 31, was seen vomiting onto his team’s bench before exiting the ice.
According to Sportsnet, a stretcher was used to transport Stolarz from the Maple Leafs’ locker room into a waiting ambulance. He was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
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NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday, May 6, that Stolarz was released from the hospital. His status for the rest of the series is unknown.
Bennett, 28, will not face any supplemental discipline for the hit from the NHL, according to The Athletic, meaning he is expected to be in the lineup when the teams meet for Game 2 in Toronto on Wednesday, May 7. The Maple Leafs won Game 1 by a final score of 5-4.
After the game, Bennett refused to speak to reporters, which drew criticism on social media.
“Sam Bennett is such a coward for not facing the media tonight,” one fan wrote. Another said, “Sam Bennett being made not available for media post game is a joke.”
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube called out the officiating and the lack of a call on Bennett during his postgame press conference.
“Elbow to the head,” Berube, 59, said. “Clearly. Clear as day. I’m not sure why there wasn’t a call on it, but it was clearly a penalty.”
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice pushed back gently, arguing the official was in good position to make an adequate judgment on the play.
“The referee is standing right there when it happens,” Maurice, 58, said. “The league will do its thing [in reviewing the play]. And I will coach the next game. Hopefully.”
Maurice added, “Hopeful for Anthony and his health. And hoping he gets better real fast.”
Joseph Woll, who replaced Stolarz after he left the game, stopped 17 of 20 shots as the Maple Leafs hung on to win the game.
“I don’t like that, of course,” Woll, 26, told reporters. “When you see your teammate go down like that, it’s not good. You go from kinda chillin’ to the front line of action.”
The Maple Leafs and Panthers return to the ice at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday before the series shifts to Florida for Game 3 on Friday, May 9.
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