Report: Panthers’ Sam Bennett won’t receive discipline for hit on Leafs’ Anthony Stolarz

The incident in question came near the halfway mark of the second period in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Final. The Panthers, on a power play, were looking to score when Bennett crashed the net, catching the side of Stolarz’s head in the process.

Stolarz fell to the ice, but no penalty was assessed on the play.

The veteran netminder played a couple of more minutes before exiting the game at the following media timeout. That came after Stolarz was seen vomiting on the Leafs’ bench.

Joseph Woll entered the game, and did enough to help Toronto grab a 5-4 victory.

According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Stolarz was taken out of Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher.

Stolarz’s injury led to an outcry from fans, both from Leafs Nation and around the hockey world, asking for an explanation. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was very blunt about his thoughts on the play.

“Elbow to the head, clear as day,” Berube said.

Stolarz stopped eight of the nine shots he faced in 30:12 of action. Woll made 17 saves on 20 shots in almost 30 minutes of action.

Stolarz was a key reason why the Leafs were able to hang on to beat the Ottawa Senators in the first round, clinching the team’s second series win in three years. In the six games against the Sens, Stolarz posted a 2.21 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.