Anthony Stolarz Shares Honest Update After Playoff Head Injury Scare
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Anthony Stolarz was a guest on Leafs Morning Take on Tuesday and revealed how his health status is after suffering a serious injury scare in Game One of the playoffs.
Last season was a fantastic one all things considered for Anthony Stolarz and the Toronto Maple Leafs, winning a division title and looking like a team who could seriously compete with the top teams in the league.
However, that quickly unraveled once Stolarz; the backbone of the team, got injured in Game One by a Sam Bennett elbow. It was a turning point in the series that paved the way for Joseph Woll to shoulder the heavy load, and while he did his best, the team ultimately fell.
With questions about his health this year, if he's really 100% and if he can replicate his production from last season, it seems like Stolarz is under a lot of pressure despite potentially still facing some lingering ailments.
Anthony Stolarz Reflects on Playoff Injury and Why He Feels Ready for a Fresh Start
But according to the man himself, not only is he 100% but he could have made a difference in the playoffs. A guest on Leafs Morning Take, Stolarz was candid in his comments towards what happened in Game One and if he's healthy now:
Just an unfortunate incident there. I got hit in the head, and probably about 5-10 minutes after, I started feeling a little woozy and dizzy. I thought it was best for myself and the team to take the right precautions to make sure everything was alright.
Things took a little while to get back, but right before Game 6 and Game 7, I started feeling like myself again.
I backed up in Game 7, and now everything's good. I was able to train, able to skate, and I was on the ice probably 15-20 times this summer with my goalie coach. I've had no symptoms, everything was good, and I was able to go full throttle this summer.
Things took a little while to get back, but right before Game 6 and Game 7, I started feeling like myself again.
I backed up in Game 7, and now everything's good. I was able to train, able to skate, and I was on the ice probably 15-20 times this summer with my goalie coach. I've had no symptoms, everything was good, and I was able to go full throttle this summer.
That's incredible news for both the Maple Leafs and their fans, and with a potential contract extension looming; he could be sticking around for a long time.
Stolarz was dominant in his first season with Toronto (when healthy) and posted a 21-8-3 record with a 2.14 GAA and .926 SV% with four shutouts; he missed over a month with a knee injury that prevented him from potentially fighting for the Vezina.
If he can replicate that while staying healthy, there's a serious chance he could push for 35 wins, and with Woll backing him up when he needs a break, Toronto themselves could push for 55+ wins if all goes well.
Motivated to prove his doubters wrong, Stolarz has the capability to not only be a Vezina candidate but also be the one who helps carry Toronto to a Stanley Cup Final.
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