Very scary moment for Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere early in the first period of their season opener against the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night.
It all happened in the corner as he was involved in a race for the puck with Kings forward Kyle Clifford.
While going for the puck, Gostisbehere fell to the ice and as he was down on his hands and knees was hit in the face by Clifford’s skate blade as he, too, was falling to the ice.
Gostisbehere had a pretty nasty looking cut on the right side of his face, just above his mouth and right next to his nose.
He is very fortunate it was not worse.
Here is a look at the play.
Shayne Gostisbehere survives a close call with Clifford's skate blade. pic.twitter.com/VnUQULMaDu
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) October 15, 2016
He was able to return to the game.
Gostisbehere’s call-up to the NHL a year ago was the turning point for the Flyers as they overcame a slow start to come back and qualify for the Eastern Conference playoffs.
In 64 games he scored 17 goals and added 29 assists. It was a performance that was good enough to get him a second place finish in the Calder Trophy voting for the NHL’s rookie of the year award.