Panthers Coach Paul Maurice Defends Sam Bennett After Blatantly Injuring Anthony Stolarz
Photo credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice prepared to die on a hill in defense of Sam Bennett after he injured Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in Game 1.
Stolarz was stretchered out of the arena a short time after receiving a forearm to the head from Sam Bennett in the second period of Game 1, leaving Joseph Woll to tend the net and secure the Leafs' Game 1 victory.
Following the game, the Leafs were hopeful the league would make the right decision in handing out supplemental discipline to Bennett.
While the Leafs were asking for the league to step in, the Panthers were defending their teammate with head coach Paul Maurice being very blunt about the incident.
"The ref was standing right there when it happened."
The Stanley Cup winning coach elaborated further on Tuesday after the dust had settled.
"I've seen every hit that Sam Bennett's thrown since he was 12 years old on TV this morning," said Maurice jokingly. "Most of this for me is tempered by the fact that Stolie is one of our guys. We love that guy. If I had thought that Sam had crossed the line or an edge, I'd probably be more careful with my words. I just didn't think it happened."
As his teammates and coach were defending him, Bennett was shielded from any media coverage following the game, but did speak with reporters on Tuesday, sharing his side of the events in question.
For the Leafs, unfortunately, not only did they lose their starting goalie, but the league announced that the Panthers pest would not face any discipline on Tuesday morning.
Game 2 is set to go Wednesday night and should be full of fireworks and intensity as the Leafs attempt to find a balance between sticking to their game and getting retribution on Bennett.
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 6088 ANSWERS Panthers Coach Paul Maurice Defends Sam Bennett After Blatantly Injuring Anthony Stolarz Do you think Sam Bennett had the intent to injure Stolarz? | ||
| Yes | 4190 | 68.8 % |
| No | 1181 | 19.4 % |
| Hard to say | 717 | 11.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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