Stolarz Exits Game After Collision, Toronto Prevails
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was removed from the game midway through the second period in the first game of the second-round Stanley Cup playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. Stolarz suffered a head injury from forward Sam Bennett.
Toronto won the match with a score of 5-4, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series of the Eastern Conference.
No penalty was called on the play that injured Stolarz. The veteran remained near the net for a few minutes before appearing to vomit on the Maple Leafs bench, before being removed from the game. He was replaced by backup goaltender Joseph Woll, who finished the game with the win. Stolarz later left Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher and was transported to a local hospital.
Stolarz had made eight saves on nine shots before leaving, while the Maple Leafs led their Atlantic Division rivals 4-1. Woll allowed three goals in the third period before securing the win.
Elbow to the head. Clearly. Very clearly. I’m not sure why there wasn’t a call, but it was clearly a penalty.
Craig Berube, Maple Leafs Coach
Florida coach Paul Maurice addressed the lack of a penalty when asked about the contact, deferring to the referees in his response regarding Bennett’s play.
The referee is right there when it happens. The league will do its thing (reviewing the play). And I’ll coach the next game. Hopefully.
Paul Maurice, Panthers Coach
Bennett was not available to reporters after the game.
Stolarz started in all six of Toronto’s playoff games against Ottawa in the first-round victory, recording a 4-2 record with a .902 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average.
The 31-year-old veteran, who was the Panthers’ backup last season, was the backbone of the Maple Leafs in goal throughout the regular season. He was out for a while after knee surgery mid-season, but had an impressive 21-8-3 record with a .926 save percentage and a 2.14 GAA.
Hopeful for Anthony and his health. And I hope he gets better very quickly.
Paul Maurice, Panthers Coach
Woll took over the starting duties when Stolarz was out during the regular season. He posted a 27-14-1 record with a .909 save percentage and a 2.73 GAA.
Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies, who recorded a goal and an assist in the victory, said he didn’t see the hit on Stolarz, but believed the NHL would handle it appropriately.
I hope the league takes a look (at the hit) and handles it and protects our players.
Matthew Knies, Maple Leafs forward
The second game is on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
