from Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News,
According to multiple sources, Reese was peeved that Mason relieved starter Rob Zepp after two goals, since Mason was told that day he would not play unless Zepp sustained serious injury.
Sources said Mason was given that word by the team, asking him to suit up because the team had salary cap issues and could not afford another backup goaltender for the game.
That jives with what Ron Hextall said this past Monday, in his post-trade deadline press conference, revealing specifically that the Flyers skated by the $69 million cap with just $48,000 to spare “the other day.” On Feb. 24, the Carolina game before Toronto while Mason was still injured, the Flyers used an “emergency goaltender exemption” to add rookie Anthony Stolarz to the roster, temporarily exceeding the 23-man limit for 48 hours.
Two days later, Mason said after the team’s pre-game skate in Toronto: “I’d be able to go in there and do the job, but I hope it doesn’t come to that. The game is not there yet. I haven’t had a good skate yet because of the schedule.”
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.