Referee Steve Kozari was taken off the ice on a stretcher after colliding with Tampa Bay defenseman Haydn Fleury in the third period of the Pittsburgh PenguinsBԪַ 5-4 win over the Lightning on Saturday.
Kozari and Fleury ice 6:11 into the third period as the Penguins began to advance the puck out of their defensive zone. Kozari hit his head on the ice and was down for several minutes while being tended to by medical personnel before they took him off the ice. He was able to move his arms and hands.
The NHL said Kozari was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons and was BԪַconscious and alert, has the use of all of his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery.BԪַ
Fleury was also down on the ice for several minutes. He did not return to the game.
BԪַThat was tough to watch,BԪַ Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. BԪַI went into the locker room during that pause. Naturally, (Fleury) was a little shook up. It was just one of those plays that was kind of a freak accident. But hopefully, both guys will be OK.BԪַ
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