Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon has stepped away from the World Championship in Prague after being injured in Team USA’s Saturday matchup against Team Germany, per Jon Morosi of NHL Network.
Lyon left the game just 24 minutes in, suffering an undisclosed injury seemingly during a scrum in the crease. He was replaced by 19-year-old backup Trey Augustine, who saved 11 of the 12 shots he faced to become the fifth U20 goalie to record a win at Worlds since 2000.
Augustine and Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic are now the only two netminders on Team USA’s roster, though the team could add another goalie at any time.
This news brings a sudden close to an exciting opportunity for Lyon, who earned the Team USA starting role after fighting into the same role with the Red Wings this season.
Lyon was red-hot in the year's first half, setting an 18-9-2 record and a .912 save percentage through his first 29 games. His second half stalled out, as the Red Wings went on a dismal losing streak. Lyon still concluded the year with 21 wins and a .904 save percentage through 44 games, earning a confident role over James Reimer and Ville Husso.
This year’s World Championship tournament was Lyon’s first chance to represent America internationally, with his only previous IIHF tournament coming in 2015 when Lyon served as USA’s third-string goalie at Worlds.
Lyon will now conclude this year’s tournament having allowed three goals on 50 shots, setting a .940 save percentage through two games.
All attention now turns toward who Team USA could bring to Czechia for the rest of the World Championship. Casey DeSmith led the squad at last year’s Worlds, posting five wins and a .918 save percentage through seven appearances.
He’s currently busy backing up Arturs Silovs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but USA could turn toward last year’s backups — Calvin Petersen and Drew Commesso — who are each enjoying their offseason.
There are also plenty of high-upside choices now available, including Vezina Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck, who has an open schedule following the Winnipeg Jets’ first-round loss.
The Americans are facing a pivotal decision, with their goaltending room now trimmed to a collegiate teenager and fringe NHL starter. There are a lot of different ways they could turn, as they chase their first World Championship Gold Medal since 1960.
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