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Referee Chris Rooney leaves the NHL playoff game after being hit by Stick

Referee Chris Rooney leaves the NHL playoff game after being hit by Stick

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The NHL had to change the referees in game 7 of the Florida Panthers Toronto Maple Leaf series due to an injury to Chris Rooney.

Rooney was injured in the second period for 13 seconds when he fell into the face of a faulty stick of Niko Mikkola. Panthers' defender cleared a puck and accidentally met Rooney on his successor.

The referee's helmet was cut off and it fell on the ice and reached for his face. He stayed below and a stretcher was brought to the ice.

Rooney finally got up and left the ice cream with help when a towel was captured in his face. TNT reported in the third phase that Rooney needed stitches above his eye and would not return to the game.

The NHL leads backup officers and Garrett Rank has taken Rooney's place.

The game was goalless at that time, but the Panthers then scored three quick goals on the way to a 6-1 win and a third trip to the conference final.

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