The hockey world held it’s breath when goaltender Ondrej Pavelec collapsed just 2:25 into Friday night’s game against the Washington Capitals. He remained unconscious, but regained consciousness in the hospital and is reported to be fully alert and doing well. He has sustained a concussion, and has a serious headache, but he and the rest of the NHL will take that news gladly as every person within hockey was worried greatly for the young netminder. He will remain in the hospital and run tests and continue to be evaluated. No further information has been released as of now.
By the time the players or referees even noticed he was laying motionless on the ice, as the play was at the other end and a faceoff deep in the Capitals’ zone was about to take place.
Backup goaltender Chris Mason went in goal after a 20 minute delay, and a talk amongst the Thrashers’ team to decide whether or not to carry on with the game. They would courageously carry on from the scoreless tie to deliver their home fans a 4-2 victory in the first game of the season on home ice. Evander Kane starred as he netted two goals, one in the middle of the first and then the game winner on a penalty shot. Ondrej did not face any shots before he went down, and Chris Mason backstopped the Thrashers making 29 saves on 31 shots.
"I think, you know, we got through the first period and that was the hardest thing," said goalie Chris Mason, who replaced Pavelec after the 23-year-old Czech native was taken off on a stretcher. "It was really tough even focusing on playing a game and having that killer instinct and that game mentality when you can't stop thinking about your teammate.
"But after the first period we got an update [that Pavelec was awake and alert] and Buff said over there, 'Let's do it for Pavs' kind of thing -- and all of the boys got kind of pumped out and we went out and played a great game."
For the first time head coach, Craig Ramsey, it was a roller coaster of emotions having to deal with the mysterious collapse of his starting netminder, gather and support his troops, and win his first National League Hockey game.
Ramsey was asked how he and the team dealt with such an emotional night during the delay.
"It takes courage and some leadership."
"We called them over and just talked about the fact that would [Pavelec] like us to fold up our tent and go home?" Ramsay said after the game was delayed about 20 minutes. "And the obvious answer is no. I thought the players responded extremely well and I thought our goalie went in and was just wonderful.
"It was great to me. It showed the character of a good group of guys."
Pavelec, 23, comes off of a promising first full season with the Thrashers, but third year (pro) in the NHL. Pavelec is viewed as the future in net for the Thrashers after having parted ways with long time goaltender Kari Lehtonen.
AHL goaltender Drew MacIntyre has been called up to play backup to Mason while Pavelec is attended to.
It was one of the scary moments you never want to see, but thankfully he appears to be ok. Updates will flow through soon and hopefully the young goaltender will be fine.
- Kendall Grubbs
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