The Philadelphia Flyers tweeted earlier today that Steve Mason will not play in the Flyers home opener due to a personal family matter, meaning that recently acquired Michal Neuvirth will start in goal. Jason LaBarbera is likely going to be called up from the Phantoms to become the backup to Emery’s replacement.
“Flyers goaltender Steve Mason is out of tonight’s line-up due to a personal family matter. No other details are available.”
-Ron Hextall— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 12, 2015
Mason started the season strongly against Tampa Bay but then endured his worst start to date in a Flyers uniform, letting in four goals in just under seven minutes of ice time. However, after the news has broken about a family matter, it’s completely understandable to see why such a sudden decline was there.
We would like to send our prayers to Steve Mason and his family in the hope that everything is okay. This is very much a swift reminder that Hockey is just a game and that the people beneath the Uniforms do have personal lives. We hope to see Steve back on the Ice soon but more importantly hope that the family matter is nothing too serious and that all is okay.
