Referee exits Game 7 after taking stick near his eye

NHL referee Chris Rooney. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Referee exits Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 7 after taking stick near his eye

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated May 18, 2025 10:17 PM ET

Referee Chris Rooney exited Game 7 of the Eastern Conference second-round series between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday night after taking a stick near his eye.

The second period had just begun, and the puck was behind Florida’s net. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky passed the puck to Niko Mikkola, who tried to clear it with a backhand. Mikkola’s stick accidentally went under the visor of Rooney and hit the referee near the eye, causing bleeding.

Referee Chris Rooney gets a stick up high and has left the game, as Garrett Rank replaces him pic.twitter.com/Pey6iFAxad
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 19, 2025

Rooney began bleeding immediately and had to be helped off the ice. Referee Garrett Rank stepped in to replace Rooney.

Rooney, 49, has been a full-time referee since 2002. He is regarded as a top official and has served as a referee for five different Stanley Cup Finals. He also officiated in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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