In 2013, the NHL introduced a rule that made helmet visors mandatory for all new players coming into the league. NHL officials would also begin accessing minor penalties to players who take off their helmets during fights. But, in a dangerous sport like hockey, those rules don’t universally prevent head injuries. And on Saturday night, a visor caused an even worse injury during a fight.
During the Tampa Bay Lightning’s game against the New Jersey Devils, Andrej Sustr’s visor broke in half after being punched in the face by Miles Wood.
Sustr was lucky to not receive any serious damage to his eye, but left the arena with over 15 stitches.
Video
Andrej Sustr left bloody and with a broken visor after a brief scrap with Miles Wood 😨😨 pic.twitter.com/E0xNjntGmc
— Hockey Central (@HockeyCentraI) February 18, 2018
Here’s Sustr’s visor snapping.
The Bolts defenseman missed the remainder of the second period while he received stitches, but returned in the third wearing a normal visor to finish the game.
Photo: @pally_18
The fight was sparked due to a hit Wood placed on Vladislav Namestnikov from behind in the second period.
Wood received two minutes for boarding and two minutes for roughing. Sunday afternoon, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety suspended Wood two games for boarding.
Sustr and Namestnikov both finished the game, while Wood scored the game-winning goal. The Devils’ 4-3 victory was punctuated by an incredible performance by Eddie Lack, who faced 51 shots on goal during the three periods. He made 48 saves.
Headline Image: @pally_18
