The Toronto Maple Leafs might be with out beginning goaltender Anthony Stolarz for Recreation 2 in opposition to the Florida Panthers. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube mentioned Stolarz continues to be recovering from a head damage he suffered in Recreation 1, in keeping with Chris Johnston of The Athletic.
Within the Maple Leafs’ 5-4 win on Monday, Stolarz took two vital blows to the top. The primary got here 5 minutes into the sport when Panthers ahead Sam Reinhart ripped an 82 mph wrist shot that knocked Stolarz’s helmet clear off.
Stolarz was visibly shaken by the shot, however he remained within the sport for some time after.
Within the second interval, throughout a battle for a unfastened puck in entrance of the crease, the elbow of Florida middle Sam Bennet made contact with Stolarz’s head. The Maple Leafs goalie instantly went to the ice holding his head, however as soon as once more remained within the sport for a bit longer.
Throughout the subsequent TV timeout, Stolarz bought sick on the Toronto bench, and he needed to be transported to the hospital for additional analysis.
In his postgame press convention, Berube mentioned it was “clear as day” that Bennett elbowed Stolarz within the head. The subsequent morning, at workforce observe, Berube mentioned that play would have been dealt with very otherwise previously.
“Once I performed, any person would’ve did one thing straight away,” Berube mentioned. “In all probability me, if I used to be on the market.”
No penalty was referred to as on Bennett on the time, and he won’t face supplementary self-discipline from the NHL. Talking to the media on Tuesday, Bennett mentioned there was no pressure or intent behind his collision with Stolarz, a former teammate.
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“Trying again the video, I imply the contact that was made was, for my part, it is actually only a bump,” Bennett mentioned. “There isn’t any forceful motion. I am making an attempt to attain. The very last thing on my thoughts is considering elbowing him within the head. When it occurred, I did not even understand I made contact.”
Joseph Woll will get the Recreation 2 begin rather than Stolarz. After relieving Stolarz in Recreation 1, Woll allowed three targets on 20 photographs because the Panthers tried desperately to mount a third-period comeback.
