NHL Ref Steve Kozari Conscious and Alert; Left Penguins vs. Lightning on Stretcher

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…