When the NHL announced Chris Rooney as one of the refs who would officiate Sunday’s game, the Maple Leafs clan could hardly hold back its glee. Toronto posts a 9-1-1 record this regular season in matches officiated by Rooney, while the Panthers, with a 7-4-3 record, were far behind on that front. Luck seemed to be on the Maple Leafs’ side, who also would have home ice advantage in the final game of the series. But then again, things are hardly ever so simple.

The game was always going to be heated, with brutal hits being almost a guarantee. After all, the likes of Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett are not known to be shy, no matter where they play. Needless to say, the Leafs camp knew that despite shutting out the Panthers in Game 6, they’ll have their work cut out for them in the final game of the series. So they weren’t going to be too polite either. Yet nobody would have expected referee Chris Rooney to get caught in the crossfire.

A post by Spittin’ Chiclets on X from May 18 shared scenes for the Florida Panthers vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs at the latter’s home venue. “Chris Rooney was taken off with trainers after taking Mikkola’s stick near the eye,” reads the caption of the social media post, as the accompanying video showed the ref getting hit in the face by the Panthers’ star’s stick. Mikkola, who cleared the puck, didn’t see the Leafs’ Mitch Marner closing in on him for a hit. Niko was caught off guard, and he failed to control the swing on his stick.

The stick took Chris’s helmet off his head, and his body immediately curled up as a reaction to the hit. The NHL official was subsequently taken off the ice, as the hockey fans at the stadium waited with bated breath to know if Rooney was okay. But it wasn’t just them. Fans from all over the world were concerned and immediately took to social media to note their unease over the incident.

Daily Face Off‘s Frank Seravalli wrote, “Prayers up for referee Chris Rooney,” amplifying the worries of hockey enthusiasts all over the world. The moment arrived just seconds into the second period, and the play was stopped for several minutes to allow the paramedics to tend the Rooney’s wounds. Even though a stretcher was brought onto the ice, the ref managed to skate off with some assistance and a towel covering most of his face.

Violent accidents during NHL games aren’t new to the fans or the athletes. And yet, the refs being on the receiving end of such gutting blows can cause the community to gasp still. After referee Mitch Dunning collided with Colorado’s Josh Manson last November, fans were left horrified. The ref was immediately stretchered off the ice and was later announced to be recovering well. Good news came soon in Chris Rooney’s case as well. Elliotte Friedman updated the community via an X post, saying, “NHL sent out an update that Chris Rooney received stitches for a cut above his eye — not in it, thankfully — and is doing well.” Heartening news, indeed! But the community wasn’t one to keep quiet and let Rooney weather the storm all by himself.

Chris Rooney gets the fans’ good wishes showered upon him

“Praying he’s ok,” one fan wrote on X, reflecting Seravalli’s sentiments. Just earlier this month, the Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi came close to losing an eye after catching Dawson Mercer‘s stick in his eye. “He dodged a bullet,” said Carolina’s head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, as he noted his relief that Kotkaniemi was not in danger of permanent damage. However, it’s one thing for the players to sport such injuries; they are in the thick of things after all. But it’s an entirely different scenario for Chris Rooney, and fans are justifiably worried. “People don’t realize these zebras got a dangerous job. Hope he heals up quickly,” said another fan.

During Game 3 between the Stars and the Hurricanes, Mason Marchment acted out of frustration and hit ref Graham Skilliter in the shin after the hockey star thought the latter didn’t call a penalty in favor of Dallas. The violation of the players’ code was later revealed to be a minor one, and Skilliter was allowed to walk away from the situation without any punishment. However, after seeing Rooney’s woes, some fans think it’s high time the NHL imposes rules with vigor to avoid such mishaps. “Players should responsible for their stick period. Shouldnt matter if it’s a player or a ref,” commented one fan following Chris’ accident.

“Man, that looked gnarly,” another fan was left with their hands over their mouth after the ref went down on the ice at the Scotiabank Arena. Were you also as shocked? Share your thoughts on Chris Rooney’s situation in a comment!