Scary moment in Toronto on Sunday night when referee Chris Rooney took a stick to the face during a crucial playoff game between the Panthers and Maple Leafs.
The incident happened right at the start of the second period in Game 7, with both teams fighting for a spot in the conference finals.
It all went down behind Florida’s net. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made a routine pass to defenseman Niko Mikkola, but what happened next was anything but routine.
Mikkola went for a backhand clear – something players do dozens of times every game. But this time, his stick caught Rooney in the worst possible spot, sneaking right under the referee’s visor and catching him near the eye.
Blood started flowing immediately, forcing Rooney to leave the game.
It’s the kind of freak accident that reminds everyone how dangerous hockey can be – even for the officials who are just trying to keep the game fair and safe.
The timing couldn’t have been worse, coming during one of the biggest games of the season with both teams’ playoff hopes on the line.
