NHL publishes first update on condition of Referee Steve Kozari

Earlier today, a scary scene unfolded in the Penguins and Lightning game when Hayden Fleury seriously collided with referee Steve Kozari. After several moments down on the ice, Kozari was stretchered off.

Reports surfaced later the Kozari had lost consciousness when his head hit the ice. When he was stretched off, he gave a thumbs up to the players and crowd. Now, the NHL has announced that Kozari is fully alert and in control of his extremities, and is expected to make a full recovery.


Kozari was transported to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh to receive treatment immediately after being stretchered off the ice. It's incredible news to hear that Kozari is okay after the scary scary scene that unfolded on the ice when he was stretchered off.


Behind the play and away from the broadcast camera, Fleury and Kozari collided at full speed completely unexpectedly. Both players took a hard fall, and even Fleury left the game in discomfort after the hit.


During the moments where things looked bad for Kozari, both benches cleared to pay their respect and see him get off the ice okay.


It's a rare and awful sight to see a referee get injured on a freak accident. It's great that Kozari will be okay, and hopefully another accident like this never occurs again.