Craig Berube Rips NHL Officials After Maple Leafs Star Suffers Brutal Injury

Though the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, the disappointment could be heard in head coach Craig Berube’s voice.

Not because of the outcome of Monday’s game but because of what happened to his starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

Late in the second period, Stolarz took an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett before collapsing to the ice and grabbing his head. He was moved to the bench moments later, where he started vomiting and was ultimately helped to the locker room for further testing.

The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported that the 31-year-old net-minder left the arena on a stretcher and was transported to the hospital for further evaluating.

Though no penalty was called in the moment—an official even explained to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice that he was close to the play and he didn’t feel it warranted a penalty—Berube clearly believed the elbow was blatant, and he subtly shaded the referees for making a bad call on the ice.

“Elbow to the head, clearly,” Berube said. “Clear as day. … I’m not sure why there wasn’t a call on it. But I get it, they miss calls, but it’s clearly a penalty.”

“Well, they do their job,” Berube added in response to a follow-up question about whether Bennett should face punishment from the NHL. “They will look at everything and decide what is necessary. I know it is an elbow.”

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube (center) talks to his players after a Florida Panthers goal during the third period of Game 1 of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported after the game that the NHL Department of Player Safety is likely looking into the Stolarz/Bennett incident.

Up until his injury, Stolarz was playing a solid game. He allowed just one goal on nine shots and Toronto held a 4-1 lead.

Things got a little rocky after he was replaced by backup Joseph Woll, who allowed third-period goals to Eetu Luostarinen, Uvis Balinskis, and Bennett, and nearly below the Maple Leafs’ three-goal lead.

Daily News

Craig Berube Rips NHL Officials After Maple Leafs Star Suffers Brutal Injury

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