Scary scene in Toronto as referee is helped off the ice after getting struck in the face with a stick
Photo credit: Canucks Daily
Referee Chris Rooney left the game early in the second period of Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena after taking a stick to the face from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola.
Backup official Garrett Rank stepped in during Sunday's Game 7 between the Maple Leafs and Panthers after referee Chris Rooney had to leave the game due to injury.
Referee Chris Rooney forced to leave the game after getting hit in the face with a stick.
The Toronto Maple Leafs' season came to a disappointing end once again on Sunday night with a lopsided 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7.
Sportsnet reported that while trying to clear the puck under pressure from Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner, Panthers defenceman Niko Mikkola inadvertently struck referee Chris Rooney under the visor with his stick on the follow-through.
Referee Chris Rooney takes a stick to the face and has to exit game 7 of the Panthers vs Maple Leafs. Prayers up. 🙏
Rooney stayed down on the ice briefly before managing to get to his feet and skate off, holding a towel to his face to tend to the injury. Rooney appeared to lose a lot of blood on the play.
Rooney, 49, began his NHL officiating career in 2002. Over the years, he has officiated more than 170 playoff games and made history in January by becoming the first American official to reach 1,500 NHL games.
The NHL assigns standby officials for all playoff games, and after Chris Rooney's injury, Garrett Rank stepped in as one of the two referees. He joined the officiating crew already on the ice, which included referee Jean Hebert and linesmen Devin Berg and Jonny Murray.
Previously on Avalanche Insider
| POLL | ||
MAI 19 | 11 ANSWERS Scary scene in Toronto as referee is helped off the ice after getting struck in the face with a stick Do you think NHL referee Chris Rooney will be able to ref again in these playoffs? | ||
| yes | 4 | 36.4 % |
| no | 7 | 63.6 % |
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