Maple Leafs-Panthers referee injury update: Chris Rooney left bloodied after taking high stick to face

A flurry of activity in a scoreless first period during Game 7 between the Panthers and Lightning set the stage for an intense second period, but the contest had to be paused just seconds in after an official was struck by a stick. 

Referee Chris Rooney took Niko Mikkola’s stick to the face just 13 seconds into the second period, and he appeared to be bleeding profusely after going down to the ice.

Rooney had to exit the game to receive treatment, with an alternate official taking his place.

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Here’s a look at what happened to Rooney during Sunday’s Game 7 and his status. 

Maple Leafs-Panthers referee injury updateRooney took the brunt of Mikkola’s stick as the Panthers defenseman tried to send the puck away in anticipation of a hit from Mitch Marner.

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) May 19, 2025LIVE: Follow updates from Maple Leafs-Panthers Game 7

Rooney appeared to be hit near his right eye. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the stick impacted his eye or cut him just above his eye, but Rooney was bleeding profusely within seconds of hitting the ice.

Horrible scene in Toronto: NHL ref Chris Rooney had to leave Panthers-Maple Leafs Game 7 after taking a stick to the face along the boards.

“You just hope that the eye is not damaged.” pic.twitter.com/9aPkDNhyfi

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 19, 2025The NHL announced Sunday night that Rooney received stitches for a cut above his eye and is doing well, indicating his eye itself wasn’t damaged. 

A stretcher was brought out for Rooney but fortunately was not needed. The official was able to skate off with assistance, but he had large towel on his head and appeared to still be trying to control the bleeding. An alternate referee replaced him on the ice.

After Rooney went back down the tunnel, workers had to scrape his blood off the ice before the game could resume. Mikkola, meanwhile, didn’t initially realize his stick hit Rooney, the TNT broadcast reported.