Detroit Red Wings goalie Alex Lyon is out of the World Championships in Czechia after suffering an injury in USA’s 6-1 win against Germany Saturday.
Lyon was scheduled to fly back to the United States today, according to USA Hockey. Details of the injury have not been disclosed. Reports on social media say it’s a hand injury, but that is unconfirmed.
That leaves former Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic and Detroit draft pick Trey Augustine as USA’s goalie. Michigan State player Augustine, 19, replaced Lyon at 3:27 of the second period and played the remainder of the game. Lyon had stopped all 14 shots he faced against Germany before he was hurt. Augustine stopped 11 of the 12 shots he saw. This is Augustine’s first World Championship. However, he owns international experience at the World Junior Championship and the World Under-18 tournaments.
Nedeljkovic is coming off a strong season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Team USA presumably will add another goalie for the rest of the tournament. The Americans play Slovakia Monday. The tournament lasts until May 26.
Lyon, 30, was enjoying his best season in professional hockey. Lyon was Detroit’s No. 1 goalie for much of the season, posting a 21-18-5 record with 3.05 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. The Minnesota native, had never played more than 15 NHL games in a season before the Red Wings signed him last summer.
Unless something Detroit’s roster changes in the offseason, Lyon will compete with Ville Husso for the No. 1 Detroit job next season.
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