The veteran of more than 1,500 games received stitches and was left with a black eye, but hopes to be back working games this postseason.

Referee Chris Rooney, who was hit in the face with a hockey stick during the Florida Panthers-Toronto Maple Leafs series, is doing well and hopes to return to work the NHL playoffs, a league source told UPI on Tuesday.

Chris Rooney was hurt 13 seconds into the second period when he caught an errant stick in the face during the Panthers-Maple Leafs game.