Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth collapses

During a commercial break, Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie Michal Neuvirth collapsed and was stretched off the ice.

Philadelphia Flyers backup goalie Michal Neuvirth collapsed during the middle of the Flyers game against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Czech goalie was immediately put on a stretcher and transported to a Pennsylvania hospital.

Neuvirth had made six saves before he collapsed 7:37 into the first period. Players on the Flyers bench who witnessed their goalie collapse immediately jumped off the bench to go see if he was okay.

Former Flyers goalie and current General Manager Ron Hextall provided an update on Neuvirth in the middle game. Hextall stated that Neuvirth was awake and alert and announced the team will provide another update tomorrow.

Neuvirth was replaced in net by Anthony Stolarz. The Flyers made Stolarz an emergency call up after starting goalie Steve Mason could not play because of the flu. After two periods Stolarz had stopped all 14 shots he had faced.

With Neuvirth out, the Flyers signed Eric Sembroski. Sembroski played college hockey at Temple and currently works as the hockey director at the North East Skate Zone in Philadelphia. This is not the first time that Sembroski has become an emergency signing for an NHL team. On Dec. 3 2016, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Sembroski to be their emergency backup goalie.

Neuvirth exited the game with the Flyers leading 1-0 if they win he will get credited with the win. With less than ten minutes remaining the Flyers lead the Devils 3-0. Both Stolarz and Neuvirth would get credited with a shutout if they kept the Devils scoreless for the last ten minutes.