VOORHEES — When Steve Mason was a rookie, he played 61 of the final 70 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He caught fire that season, winning the Calder Trophy in a year that he now says “was just a blur.”

The goalie may be relied upon in similar fashion for the final dozen games of the Flyers’ season after news that his goalie partner, Michal Neuvirth, will miss the next three weeks with what the team says is a “lower-body injury.”

“We haven’t been really blessed with an easy schedule here to finish off,” Mason said. “We’re not gonna use that as an excuse. We’ve all got to come here ready to have a real strong push in these last few weeks of the season. It’s tough with the back-to-backs, but you’ve just got to take care of yourself and get your rest.

“I’m gonna do everything I can to give the team as much goaltending as they need.”

The loss of Neuvirth stings for the Flyers, but it isn’t unexpected. His latest ailment is at least the sixth time this season that has caused Neuvirth to miss a game. The previous Saturday he missed a scheduled start with a stomach virus. He’s pulled his groin and had a concussion in addition to two more vague injuries, one of each the “upper-body” and “lower-body” variety.

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