Skip to content
Flyers
Link copied to clipboard

Steve Mason misses Flyers' home opener

An undisclosed family matter kept goalie Steve Mason away from the Flyers on Monday and out of the lineup for the team's home opener against the Florida Panthers.

An undisclosed family matter kept goalie Steve Mason away from the Flyers on Monday and out of the lineup for the team's home opener against the Florida Panthers.

General manager Ron Hextall called it a sensitive issue and asked reporters to respect Mason's privacy.

Mason was replaced by Michal Neuvirth. In a 7-1 loss Saturday in Florida, Neuvirth relieved Mason.

"I'm happy I'm going to get to start, but obviously it's a very sad issue for a teammate," Neuvirth said before the game. "What he's going through is so tough and I feel really bad for him."

Neuvirth, 27, signed with the team in July.

"We have all the confidence in the world in Neuvy," coach Dave Hakstol said before the opening faceoff. ". . . He's a good goaltender; he's proven that over many years."

Hextall said he did not expect Mason to be away for an extended period but did not know if the goalie would return Wednesday for the home game against Chicago. Hextall declined to say whether the matter weighed on Mason before the game Saturday, when the steady goalie allowed an uncharacteristic four goals in the first 6 minutes, 46 seconds of the loss to Florida.

Jason LaBarbera was recalled from the Phantoms to serve as Neuvirth's backup.

Flyers debuts

Defenseman Radko Gudas and right winger Sam Gagner played in their first games with the Flyers Monday as the team switched up the lineup. Gudas replaced Luke Schenn, who was a healthy scratch. The Flyers acquired Gudas in March from Tampa Bay. He missed most of last season with a knee injury.

"He brings an element, a little bit of snarl," Hakstol said.

Gagner filled in for R.J. Umberger, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Gagner played on Sean Couturier's second line and was used on the power play.

"I think everyone is confident that he can step in and help us," Hakstol said.

No Snider

Flyers chairman Ed Snider missed the game as he chose to remain at his home in California, where he is resting after recent medical therapy. Snider's involvement in team and company operations is not affected, the team said in a statement.

Last year, a Flyers official said Snider was battling a treatable cancer.