Stolarz in Doubt for Game 2: Maple Leafs on Alert
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube reported this Tuesday that starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz is not ruled out for Game 2 of the second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers.
Stolarz left the first game on Monday after taking a hit to the head from Panthers center Sam Bennett in the second period.
The goalie, who also took a shot to the mask at the start of Game 1, fell to the ice after the hit from the Florida forward, but continued playing for a few minutes. Ultimately, he had to retire after vomiting on the Toronto bench during a break in the game.
Berube confirmed that Stolarz, 31, was evaluated at a hospital on Monday night, but added that he was at the team’s training facility on Tuesday morning. The coach said he didn’t know if Stolarz suffered a concussion.
In his first season with the Maple Leafs, Stolarz is a regular starter in the playoffs for the first time in his career. Last season, he was with the Panthers, as a backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, while Florida advanced towards their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He is one of three players on the current Maple Leafs roster who were also with Florida last season, including Steven Lorentz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Maple Leafs backup Joseph Woll struggled in relief of Stolarz. He allowed three goals on 20 shots, and Toronto had to hold on for a 5-4 victory over the Panthers to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 2 will be played on Wednesday night in Toronto.
