Terrifying moment NHL referee is stretchered off the ice following collision with Tampa Bay defenseman Haydn Fleury in 'freak accident' during game against Penguins

Referee Steve Kozari was taken to hospital following a nasty collision with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Haydn Fleury on Saturday. 

The official had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after the crash in the third period of the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 win over the Lightning on Saturday.

Kozari and Fleury ran into each other at center ice 6:11 into the third period as the Penguins began to advance the puck out of their defensive zone. 

Kozari hit his head on the ice and was down for several minutes while being tended to by medical personnel before they took him off the ice. He was able to move his arms and hands.

The NHL said Kozari was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons and was 'conscious and alert, has the use of all of his extremities and is expected to make a full recovery.'

Fleury was also down on the ice for several minutes. He did not return to the game.

'That was tough to watch,' Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. 'I went into the locker room during that pause. 

'Naturally, (Fleury) was a little shook up. It was just one of those plays that was kind of a freak accident. But hopefully, both guys will be OK.'

The Penguins moved into a playoff spot with the victory after Michael Bunting snapped a tie with 5:28 left in the third period.

Evgeni Malkin had two goals and an assist for Pittsburgh, and Bunting also had two assists. Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang also scored.

Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 30 saves in his eighth straight start.

Pittsburgh posted its fourth straight win and improved to 6-0-2 in its last eight games overall. It is tied with Philadelphia for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, with the Flyers visiting Columbus on Saturday night.

The Lightning, who clinched a playoff berth Friday when Philadelphia, Washington and Detroit lost in regulation, had won 10 of their previous 12.