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Report: Bennett not expected to face discipline for contact with Stolarz

Michael Chisholm / National Hockey League / Getty

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett isn't expected to face supplemental discipline for contact with Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz's head in Monday night's Game 1, TSN's Chris Johnston reports.

Stolarz exited the game minutes after the collision and didn't return.

The netminder also had been hit in the mask by a shot earlier in the game.

Stolarz appeared to vomit over the Toronto bench during a TV timeout before exiting the game. He reportedly left Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher during the third period and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

Stolarz is out of hospital, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported. The Leafs want to focus on the series and don't want to waste energy on Bennett's situation in the coming days, LeBrun added.

Bennett wasn't given a penalty on the play.

"Elbow to the head, clearly. Clear as day," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said postgame.

Berube added: "I'm not sure why there's not a call on it. I get it, they miss calls, but it's clearly a penalty."

Bennett has been suspended twice in his NHL career for boarding and an illegal check to the head, but he hasn't been banned since January 2022. Bennett has been fined twice, most recently in January for roughing.

"Hopefully the league will handle it and protect our players," Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies added.

Goaltender Joseph Woll made 17 saves on 20 shots in relief as Toronto took Game 1 over Florida 5-4. Game 2 goes at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday.

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