Paul Maurice's Response To Sam Bennett's Controversial Hit On Stolarz Leaves Fans Stunned

Game One between the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs was full of drama, excitement and ultimately, a tense victory for the home team as they finally look to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, the game wasn't all good for the fans, as Anthony Stolarz left the game vomiting and eventually on a stretcher after taking a shot to the mask and ultimately, a direct elbow to the back of the head from veteran forward and former Panthers teammate Sam Bennett.

While most people would look at that and at the very least call it a minor penalty, according to Head Coach Paul Maurice, the officials saw it plain as day but decided it wasn't worth any extra attention, even with the damage done to Stolarz.

Sure, more of the damage may have been done on the shot that dislodged his face mask entirely (we'll never truly know), but this play from Bennett was simply dirty and unnecessary, and given that Stolarz was in the paint, it should have been a call immediately on Bennett.

Whether that was a major for intentionally going after the goaltender with an elbow to the head or simply a minor for interference, something should have been called, but somehow, the officials simply looked the other way.

Sometimes however, officials just get things wrong on the ice and don't have the benefit of instant replay in their heads. The NHL's Department of Player Safety has made an official decision on Sam Bennett, with no supplemental discipline for his hit on Anthony Stolarz,