After a Scary Mask-Off Save, Anthony Stolarz Sends a Message the NHL Can't Ignore
Photo credit: TSN Sports
Although it made for a highlight reel play, Anthony Stolarz's maskless save versus the Rangers irked him mightily, leading to him calling for a major rule change.
Anthony Stolarz never manages to keep things boring, as it seems like every game he decides to pull off a miraculous save, or do something that gives the Maple Leafs every chance to win the game.
A Terrifying Moment for Anthony Stolarz Against the Rangers
Last season he made a save without a glove, risking serious damage to his hand in order to freeze the puck. It caused a viral sensation online, and showed the passion and sheer gutsiness of Stolarz; and quickly endeared him to fans.
He decided to double down on the craziness when he made an absurd save against the Rangers while his mask was off, saving a JT Miller slap shot while the referees delayed against calling the play dead.
The current rule states the play can continue if the opposing team is in the middle of a potential scoring chance, but that can lead to a whole slew of potentially dangerous consequences.
Stolarz's Call for the NHL to Review Its Safety Rules
It didn't sit well with Stolarz nor the Maple Leafs and their fans, and you could tell that the goaltender was none too pleased with the officiating on Thursday night and also gave Miller a piece of his mind.
Post-game, the goalie made sure to put the NHL on blast and called for some type of rule reform when it comes to goaltender safety, especially when it comes to losing the bucket:
This is the second time it's happened. Happened to Adin Hill the other night as well. So, hopefully we can find a compromise. It's not like goalies are trying to knock our helmets off.
I mean, without the buckle, you can't really see the puck, you can't really track or do anything. As soon as you move your head, it falls off.
So, hopefully the league can look at it and talk to some goalies or people who have knowledge of the position, and we can come to some sort of compromise where our safety isn't put at risk there.
I mean, without the buckle, you can't really see the puck, you can't really track or do anything. As soon as you move your head, it falls off.
So, hopefully the league can look at it and talk to some goalies or people who have knowledge of the position, and we can come to some sort of compromise where our safety isn't put at risk there.
This isn't the 1950's where goalies played without helmets and masks, and we've evolved so much since the early days of when Jacques Plante used the first ever head protection for goaltenders.
We can give goaltenders a bit of backlash and flak for potentially pushing the net off the moorings, or being able to essentially lumberjack opponents in their crease.
But the last thing they want is a frozen rubber puck flying at 90 MPH towards their head with zero protection; you can still get concussed with a helmet on and without it? Potentially death.
The NHL needs to whistle the play dead as soon as the goaltender's helmet comes off, there's too much risk and you can't prioritize a scoring chance over the health of your players.
So Anthony Stolarz may be able to make saves without his helmet, but if he had his way there wouldn't have been a shot at him whatsoever.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 17 | 1302 ANSWERS After a Scary Mask-Off Save, Anthony Stolarz Sends a Message the NHL Can't Ignore Should the NHL adjust their rules to allow goalies more safety measures? | ||
| Yes | 1230 | 94.5 % |
| No | 72 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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