The Toronto Maple Leafs ruled out starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz for Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against Florida on Wednesday after taking an elbow to the head from Panthers center Sam Bennett in Game 1.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube announced that Joseph Woll will make his first start of the playoffs, with Matt Murray his backup.
Stolarz, 31, exited midway through the second period on Monday night, a few minutes after Bennett hit him in the back of the head with his elbow as he was skating by. No penalty was called on the play and ESPN reported Wednesday that no discipline will be levied against Bennett.
Bennett told reporters the contact was not intentional.
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 the arena on a stretcher during the third period and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Woll, in his first 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. Stolarz stopped eight of nine shots before leaving.
Stolarz returned to the practice facility Tuesday. He is 4-2 with a .901 save percentage and 2.19 goals against average in seven playoff starts with the Maple Leafs.
Woll, 26, went 27-14-1 in 42 games this season, posting a .909 save percentage and 2.73 GAA.
–Field Level Media
