An ice hockey referee was taken off the ice on a stretcher after colliding with a player at a National Hockey League game in Pittsburgh.
Whistleblower Steve Kozari collided with Tampa Bay defenseman Haydn Fleury in the third period of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-4 win over the Lightning on Sunday morning (AEST).
Kozari and Fleury met at center ice as the Penguins began moving the puck out of their defensive zone.
Kozari hit his head on the ice and was down for several minutes while being treated by medical staff before being taken 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 “conscious and alert, has the use of all of his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Fleury was also on the ice for several minutes.
He did not return to the game.
“That was tough to watch,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said.
“I went into the locker room during that break. Naturally, [Fleury] I was a little shocked. It was just one of those plays that was kind of a freak accident. But hopefully both guys will be okay.”
AP
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