Could Panthers’ Sam Bennett receive discipline for Anthony Stolarz’s injury?
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube didn’t hold back his thoughts.
“Elbow to the head,” Berube said. “Clear. Clear as day.”
Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz left Monday night’s playoff game against the Florida Panthers — an eventual 5-4 Toronto win at Scotiabank Arena — a few minutes after being struck in the back of the helmet by former teammate Sam Bennett midway through the second period.
The collision happened with 12:40 left in the second period. Stolarz hit the ice momentarily, but stayed in the game for about three more minutes of game action before ultimately being replaced by backup Joseph Woll.
In the first period, Stolarz also took a hard shot off the mask from a Sam Reinhart slap shot that dislodged his mask.
Sportsnet cameras caught Stolarz vomiting over the boards and into a bucket brought over by the team’s training staff. TSN’s Chris Johnston reported Stolarz was taken to a local hospital on a stretcher during the third period.
All Berube would say postgame was that Stolarz was being evaluated.
No penalty was called on the play, but when asked if he thinks Bennett should receive supplementary discipline, Berube said the league will “look at everything and decide what’s necessary.”
Stolarz spent last season with the Panthers as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup and turned his stellar season with Florida into a two-year, $5 million deal with Toronto. Stolarz went 21-8-3 this season with the Maple Leafs, playing to a .926 save percentage and 2.14 goals against average in the regular season while splitting time with Woll. He then started all six of Toronto’s games in its first-round series against the Ottawa Senators, stopping 128 of 144 shots he faced. Stolarz had stopped eight of nine shots he faced on Monday before exiting.
“We’re hopeful for Anthony and his health,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “We love that guy. We hope he gets better.”
As for his vantage point on the play, Maurice simply said it was “not nearly as good as the referee’s vantage point. He was standing right there.”
The Maple Leafs were up 4-1 when Stolarz departed. Florida scored twice in the opening five minutes of the third period against Woll to get within one goal but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Bennett did not speak postgame.
“I can’t really say anything about the moment. I didn’t see it,’’ Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. “Hope [Stolarz is] OK. He’s a big man, hopefully he’s OK. … We obviously know him very well, and he has played very well this year. We’re happy for him. Hopefully he’s OK.’’
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