When the Dispatch’s Tom Reed reported that Steve Mason did not practice before Saturday’s game against the Kings due to a minor injury, it wasn’t too concerning. Now, however, that “minor” injury appears to be a bit more serious – Mason is once again absent from the team’s open practice at the Ice Haus, and David LeNeveu has been called up from Springfield on emergency recall.
Edit: According to head coach Scott Arniel, Mason has a strained groin muscle, suffered during the Anaheim game. The team is hoping to have him back in the lineup for the weekend matchup with Detroit.
Given Mathieu Garon‘s struggles with the puck on Saturday, it’s even possible, though less likely, that LeNeveu might even be given the start Tuesday in front of the Coyotes, his former NHL club.
Also interesting is that since Kyle Wilson is still with the club (despite clearing waivers), the team can only have LeNeveu up for 48 hours without having to make some kind of roster re-assignment. (Though if Mason’s injury does turn out to need more than a day or two to recover, putting him on IR retroactive to Sunday would certainly be an answer.)
In 22 games for Springfield this season, LeNeveu is 10-10-2, with a 2.82 GAA and .898 save percentage.