The Toronto Maple Leafs avoided a major scare after goaltender Anthony Stolarz was hit in the throat during warmups before their game in Ottawa. The incident forced the NHL goaltender to immediately leave the ice and seek medical attention.
The team confirmed he was taken to hospital for preventive imaging shortly after the attack.
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“Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz was hit in the throat by a puck during warmups tonight in Ottawa and has been taken to the hospital for precautionary imaging. Updates will be provided as they become available.” Leafs PR Posted on X
The puck that hit Stolarz came off teammate William Nylander’s stick during a routine warm-up drill. Nylander expressed concern after the game, explaining that the shot didn’t go as well as he expected.
“Obviously, you know, it’s really hard to see this happen,” Nylander said of the blow to Stolarz. “I mean, I always come in and shoot straight away, and this one just went a little bit left and I hit him in the neck. So, I was obviously worried about him, but I kept texting him, so he seemed to be okay.”
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Hours later, Toronto shared positive news, confirming Stolarz had been released and would rejoin the team back home. The quick release eased concerns over what initially appeared to be a serious injury.
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“Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been released from the hospital following precautionary imaging and will return to Toronto with the team,” Maple Leafs PR announced.
In Stolarz’s absence, Joseph Wall started as the starter and made 38 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Anthony Stolarz’s incident comes during a challenging season
For Stolarz, who was already plagued by injuries, the incident adds another challenge to his season. He maintained a record of 8 wins, 9 draws and 3 losses in 22 games, averaging 3.34 goals per game. His availability for the upcoming game against the Boston Bruins remains uncertain.
If he’s unable to play the rest of the game, Toronto may need to consider depth options.
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The result brings some relief for a team already facing inconsistency and injury issues. The focus now shifts to monitoring his recovery and ensuring consistent goalscoring during this crucial period of the season.
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