Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Takes Subtle Dig at NHL Referees While Sharing Anthony Stolarz’s Health Update

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube made it abundantly clear that he didn’t want to beat around the bush regarding the Anthony Stolarz injury. “Elbow to the head. Clearly… clear as day,” the 59-year-old said when a reporter asked him about Sam Bennett’s “hit” on the Leafs goalie. If that wasn’t enough indication that the veteran coach wasn’t pleased with the officiating, he cleared that up too.

Coach Berube explained that his team dealt with the unnerving injury and its aftermath the best they could. However, what puzzled him was the lack of any calls after Sam Bennett hit Anthony Stolarz while trying to score a goal. Panthers players and Leafs defensemen crowded the front of the net when it happened. But the coach took a dig at the referee and the linesmen’s awareness.

“I get it they miss calls, but it’s clearly a penalty,” the Toronto Maple Leafs coach said. The massive hit floored Stolarz and flicked the stick out of his fans. While the Leafs acted quickly, pulling their netminder from the ice, things only got worse. Stolarz didn’t return to the game in the third period. “Right now, he’s being evaluated. That’s all I got for you guys,” the coach said in response to the inevitable during the post-game interview.