Referee Steve Kozari stretchered off the ice after collision with Lightning’s Haydn Fleury

A scary moment occurred in the middle of a game on Saturday afternoon.

In the third period of the game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. Lightning defenseman Haydn Fleury accidentally collided with referee Steve Kozari. Both parties were watching the puck coming out of the Penguins’ zone, neither seeing each other coming.

Fleury and Kozari were hurt, with Kozari having to be stretchered off the ice.

According to the ESPN broadcast, Kozari briefly lost consciousness in the incident. However, as he was being taken off the ice, he was seen moving, grabbing linesman Kyle Flemington’s hand.

Players from both the Lightning and the Penguins came out to center ice to show support for Kozari as he was stretchered off.

Tampa later announced that Fleury would not return to the game. His injury has not been disclosed.

The league later released a statement saying that Kozari was transported to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh for precautionary reasons. They say the official is conscious, has use of all of his extremities, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Kozari made his league debut on October 15, 2005, and has been a full-time official in the NHL since the 2007-08 season. The Penticton, British Columbia native has been a member of the NHL Officials Association since 2003. He has reffed over 1,100 games, including 136 playoff games, including the 2014, 2019, 2020 and 2023 Stanley Cup Finals. He has also officiated the 2014 Heritage Classic, 2016 Stadium Series and 2020 Winter Classic.

Fleury has been banged up throughout this season, missing 21 games due to injury. The Carlyle, Saskatchewan native missed six games last month due to a lower-body injury. In 23 games, Fleury has scored a goal and five points.

The 27-year-old has played 267 games across eight seasons with the Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken. He has registered 10 goals and 37 points, including two goals in 18 playoff games.