Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Steve Mason may have injured himself significantly at practice on Friday.
Mason had just made a save in the middle of a 3-on-2 drill near the end of practice. He then rolled over and could not get up off the ice as players, coaches, and trainers huddled around the netminder.
He was eventually helped off by trainer Jim McCrossin and coach Gord Murphy.
“Steve Mason is being evaluated by team physicians. We will hopefully know more later today,” said Flyers general manager Ron Hextall.
Although there’s no update on the former Calder trophy winner’s condition teammates speculated that Mason suffered a back spasm according to Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly.
“I didn’t see a whole lot,” said head coach Craig Berube. “I don’t know exactly what happened, to be honest with you. I was watching the guys with the drill we were doing and I kinda looked over and Mase was on his stomach.
“I haven’t talked to the medical staff. … It’s devastating to lose players, for sure. We don’t want to lose any players.”
Despite a middling 6-10-5 record Mason has a solid 2.49 GAA and .921 SP% in 22 games with the Flyers this season.
Ray Emery will serve as club’s primary starting goaltender if Mason is to miss significant time.
