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.
Rooney was escorted off the ice while holding a bloody towel to his face. He was replaced by alternate referee Garrett Rank.
The game was 0-0 at the time.