Despite an entirely misleading 6-10-5 record, goalie Steve Mason has been one of the few bright spots for the Philadelphia Flyers this current NHL season.
That bright spot may however be dimmed a bit, as it was reported today that Mason injured his back while performing a drill at practice, in what is rumored to have been a "significant" manner.
From the assembled media:
Mason hurt back apparently while moving on a drill. No one around him and he fell down. Looks bad
— Randy Miller (@RandyJMiller) December 19, 2014
CSN cameras on Mason- back? — Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) December 19, 2014
Waiting for #Flyers locker room to open and get update on Steve Mason who had to be helped off the ice — Marc Narducci (@sjnard) December 19, 2014
Scene in #Flyers locker room, media held out as Mason was helped out of his equipment. pic.twitter.com/xcsQIO2X9K — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2014
To repeat: Mason injury seemed significant. He couldn't leave ice under his own power. He's being attended to right now.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2014
Lots of chatter in #Flyers room that Mason was in some sort of spasm or his body locked up. It's going to be a while before word from team. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 19, 2014
Sure sounds like Mason may be on the sidelines for a bit, and "Razor" Ray Emery may be taking over the netminding duties for the Flyers for a while.
Emery, 5-4-1, has a .899 SV% and 3.05 GAA in 11 games of action this season, eight of which he's started.
He, like Mason, has played better than the record indicates. But the slow and altogether unimpressive defensive corps in front of him, along with a Philly forward group sometimes allergic to back-checking, has affected his season numbers negatively.
The Flyers, 11-14-6 and in sixth place in the Metro, begin an eight-game road trip tomorrow night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Philadelphia has lost their last two games, the most recent a 2-1 shootout loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers.
The injury to Mason just adds another to the laundry list of issues currently ailing this Flyers team.
Veteran Rob Zepp would be recalled from the AHL should Mason miss significant time.
