NHL issues update on injured referee Steve Kozari.

The National Hockey League has issued an official update on injured referee Steve Kozari.

Here it is unedited and in full:

Referee Steve Kozari was transported to UPMC Mercy hospital for precautionary reasons after a collision with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Haydn Fleury in the third period of the Penguins-Lightning game this afternoon. Kozari is conscious and alert, has the use of all of his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery.

Kozari was involved in a scary incident on Saturday afternoon during a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning, one that would result in the veteran NHL official briefly losing consciousness.

Kozari would be knocked out when he collided with Lightning defenseman Haydn Fleury at center ice in what appeared to be a complete freak accident. Both men were skating towards one another while looking in the opposite direction, resulting in a blindside hit for both men. To make matters worse, both of their heads would collide together which appeared to knock out Kozari immediately.

Unfortunately that would leave the referee without any ability to protect himself as he fell to the ice, resulting in his head smacking hard against the ice.

Kozari would leave the ice on a stretcher, but only after several minutes down on the ice, and I for one am very happy to hear that he will make a full recovery.