The Maple Leafs removed starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz from Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers after he took a hit to the head from Sam Bennett.
Stolarz stopped eight of nine shots before exiting midway through the second period, a few minutes after the Panthers center hit him in the back of the head with his elbow as he was skating by. No penalty was called on the play.
Television cameras caught Stolarz vomiting into a bucket near the Maple Leafs’ bench before the team pulled him from the game. TSN reported that Stolarz exited Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher during the third period.
Joseph Woll, in his first NHL game since April 17, made 17 saves but allowed three goals in relief. Toronto held on to win the game 5-4 to take the early edge in the series.
There was no immediate update on Stolarz’s condition. The series continues Wednesday in Toronto before the series shifts to Florida for Game 3 on Friday.
–Field Level Media
