Latest news with #GarrettRank
Reuters
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Referee Chris Rooney aims to return to NHL playoffs after high stick
May 20 - NHL referee Chris Rooney hopes to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs after a scary scene unfolded during Game 7 of the second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers on Sunday night. Rooney, 49, was injured in the eye area by a high stick from Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, who was battling for a pick in the corner. The veteran official was left with a black eye, but no long-term damage, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday. Rooney was bleeding badly when he went down on the ice and while being tended to by trainers from both teams. He was ruled out for the rest of the game and received stitches to help close the cut. Referee Garrett Rank, on standby in case of emergency, replaced Rooney and the game resumed following a break in action. The visiting Panthers went on to win the game 6-1 and will play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals, beginning on Tuesday. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL referee leaves Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 7 bloody after catching high stick to the face
A referee left the Game 7 matchup between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday after a high stick to the face. Chris Rooney, a veteran official with two decades of NHL experience, was hit in the face with the stick of Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, leaving him bloodied and forcing him to exit the game. The incident took place a few seconds into the second period of the Panthers' 6-1 win at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, when Mikkola's stick grazed Rooney's face and nearly knocked off his helmet. Rooney went down, clutching his face and bleeding. Players on both teams instantly waved over the medical staff. After a few moments, Rooney was escorted off the ice while holding a bloody towel to his face. He was replaced by alternate referee Garrett Rank. Referee Chris Rooney caught a stick up high and has been escorted off the he's okay 🙏 — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 19, 2025 During the third period, TNT reported on the broadcast that Rooney had received stitches on the cut, which was above his eye. Rooney, who has been a referee in the NHL since 2002, has officiated more than 1,500 games in his tenure, according to the NHL Officials Association. Rank, his replacement, has been an NHL referee since 2015. The game was 0-0 at the time of Rooney's injury. A few minutes later, Florida defenseman Seth Jones broke through with a goal. The Panthers then picked up two more goals, from forwards Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich, to bring the score to 3-0. THE PANTHERS ARE POURING IT ON 😳(via @NHL) — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 19, 2025 Florida nearly made it 4-0, but another second-period goal from Jones was called back by Rank, the replacement ref, for goalie interference. Despite the Panthers' objections, video replay confirmed the call, showing that Jones' leg made contact with the stick of Toronto goaltender Joseph Woll. In the third period, the Maple Leafs took one back, with Max Domi reawakening the crowd with a great goal to bring things to 3-1. But the Panthers added three more goals before taking the 6-1 win and closing out the series. The win sends Florida into the Eastern Conference finals, where they'll take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are set in the Western Conference finals on the other side of the bracket.
National Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Referee forced out of Game 7 in Toronto after taking stick to face
Referee Chris Rooney, widely considered to be one of the top officials in the NHL, was bloodied and had to leave Game 7 of the Florida-Toronto playoff matchup on Sunday after taking an inadvertent stick to the face. Article content The play happened 13 seconds into the second period, when Florida's Niko Mikkola was jousting for the puck and his stick went into Rooney's face. Article content The game was stopped for several minutes and a stretcher was brought onto the ice, but Rooney skated off with some assistance and with a towel covering much of his face as he was brought to the locker-room area for further evaluation and treatment. Article content The NHL has standby officials at playoff games and Garrett Rank took over as one of the two referees following Rooney's injury, joining a crew that also included referee Jean Hebert and linesmen Devin Berg and Jonny Murray. Article content
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Referee Chris Rooney forced out of Game 7 after taking stick to face
TORONTO (AP) — Referee Chris Rooney, widely considered to be one of the top officials in the NHL, was bloodied and had to leave Game 7 of the Florida-Toronto playoff matchup on Sunday night after taking an inadvertent stick to the face. The play happened 13 seconds into the second period, when Florida's Niko Mikkola was jousting for the puck and his stick went into Rooney's face. The game was stopped for several minutes and a stretcher was brought onto the ice, but Rooney skated off with some assistance and with a towel covering much of his face as he was brought to the locker room area for further evaluation and treatment. The NHL has stand-by officials at playoff games and Garrett Rank took over as one of the two referees following Rooney's injury, joining a crew that also included referee Jean Hebert and linespersons Devin Berg and Jonny Murray. ___ AP NHL playoffs: and
