NHL Ref Steve Kozari Conscious and Alert; Left Penguins vs. Lightning on Stretcher
April 6, 2024
NHL referee Steve Kozari was stretchered off the ice Saturday after colliding with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Haydn Fleury during a game at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
The NHL later announced that Kozari was transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. The league said in a statement that he is "conscious and alert, has the use of all his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery."
Fleury left for the locker room after the collision and did not return to the game.
Penguins and Lightning players cleared the benches to send Kozari off with stick taps.
Fleury and Kozari collided at center ice midway through the third period.
The ESPN on ABC broadcast reported that Kozari momentarily lost consciousness. He was reportedly able to move his extremities while being attended to by medical personnel.
The broadcast showed Kozari grabbing the hand of linesman Kyle Flemington as he was carried away on the stretcher, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported.
The game proceeded with three officials instead of four for the final ten minutes of regulation, according to the broadcast. The Lightning went on to lose 5-4.
Since becoming an NHL referee in 2005, Kozari has refereed more than 1,000 NHL games, according to the NHL Officials Association. His officiating resume includes Stanley Cup Final games in 2014, 2019 and 2020.
Fleury's face was visibly bleeding after the collision, but he was able to skate under his own power as he was helped to the locker room.
Team officials later announced Fleury would not return to the game, per NHL.com's Chris Krenn.
The defenseman had recorded one shot and two penalty minutes while skating on the Lightning's second pairing before exiting the game.
The Lightning were already skating with an extra defenseman before Fleury's exit. Seventh defenseman Nick Perbix is likely to get more ice time if Fleury is forced to miss any additional time over the last five games of the regular season.