NHL referee Steve Kozari is alert and expected to make a full recovery after leaving Saturday’s game between the Penguins and Lightning on a stretcher.
Kozari was injured when he collided with Tampa Bay defenceman Haydn Fleury mid-way through the third period.
The incident happened at 13:49 of the third when Kozari appeared to be crossing the neutral zone toward the bench side of the ice and did not see Fleury heading toward him. The collision sent both to the ice hard.
Fleury managed to eventually get to his feet, but a stretcher was brought out for Kozari, who was strapped to a backboard with his head immobilized. Kozari was able to move his extremities as he left the ice.
Players from both benches spilled out onto the ice to tap their sticks for the referee before play resumed.
In a statement released later Saturday, the NHL said Kozari was taken to UPMC Mercy hospital in Pittsburgh for “precautionary reasons.” The statement goes on to say Kozari is “conscious and alert, has the use of all of his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Fleury also did not return to the game, which the Penguins won 5-4.
Kozari is among the NHL’s most experienced officials. According to Scoutingtherefs.com, the Penticton, B.C., native is in his 18th NHL season and has officiated 1,218 regular season games and 135 playoff games. His resume also includes four Stanley Cup Final assignments.
