SALT LAKE CITY — Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek left Monday night`s game against the Utah Hockey Club early in the first period due to an apparent lower-body injury. Despite Mrazek`s absence, the Red Wings secured a 5-1 victory.
The injury occurred just 1:38 into the game when Utah forward Dylan Guenther collided with Mrazek in the net during a breakaway attempt. The collision caused Mrazek`s stick to fly across the ice. Mrazek was visibly limping as he left the ice and went directly to the locker room. Alex Lyon took over as the replacement goalie.
Alex Lyon played effectively in relief, making 16 saves against Utah. Prior to Monday`s game, Lyon had an 11-8-1 record as a starter this season, with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.
“I’m just staying ready every day,” Lyon commented. “When you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”
Red Wings coach Todd McLellan stated that Mrazek will not be available for Tuesday night’s game against Colorado, the final game of Detroit`s four-game road trip. Mrazek will undergo further evaluation on Wednesday when the team returns to Detroit.
This season, Mrazek has a 12-21-2 record in 35 starts, with a 3.35 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage.
Coach McLellan praised Lyon for his performance in a tough situation, stepping into the game unexpectedly early on.
“Alex did a real good job coming into a difficult situation a minute into the game when you certainly don’t expect it,” McLellan said. “The first shot goes by him and now it’s ‘Okay, what are we going to get?’ but he really settled in and had a good game.”
