Edmonton Oilers defenceman Troy Stecher wasn't benched during Game 4 due to a high-sticking injury.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters Friday morning, a day after the team's 5-4 overtime victory, that it was a coach's decision to sit Stecher for the remainder of the game.
Stecher was on the ice for a team-low 4:18 minutes and was a minus-1.
He was hit in the head by Carter Verhaeghe's stick behind the Oilers' net shortly before the Panthers forward passed the puck in front to set up teammate Anton Lundell to give Florida a 3-0 lead during the final minute of the opening period.
It was Stecher's first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
The 31-year-old from Richmond, B.C., has zero points in seven playoff games. He had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 66 games during the regular season.
The series shifts back to Edmonton for Game 5, all tied up 2-2.
Watch Game 5 live Saturday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT.
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