Hockey is a dangerous sport and we were reminded of that again today during a 2017 IIHF World Championship game.
During Sweden’s 8-1 victory over Italy Friday, Victor Hedman’s face shield broke in half. He was lucky to not lose an eye.
The Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman received four stitches to close the nasty gash on his left cheek.
Video
Video on the Victor Hedman incident today… pic.twitter.com/nt01KiaDOA
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) May 12, 2017
Hedman’s visor cracked after attempting to poke-check Italian forward Michele Marchetti in neutral ice. Hedman missed, causing his body to careen forward. As Marchetti skated into Hedman, he awkwardly struck the defenseman in the head with his shoulder, cracking his shield.
In an interview with the Swedish-language website Aftonbladet after the game, Hedman mentioned this wasn’t the first time he’s had this issue.
“It’s the second time this year my visor cracks,” Hedman said to Aftonbladet’s Jimmy Wixtröm as translated by Magnus Cadelin. Hedman then pointed to a scar under his right eye.
Hedman, however, remained in high spirits while getting stitched up.
“Make these look good,” he joked along with Wixtröm. “I already have a bad one below the other eye.”
While Hedman was held without a point during regulation, he did finish the game with both of his eyes still functioning.
Hedmans visir sprack – fick sy fyra stygn https://t.co/fSpyBuXSqA pic.twitter.com/WPsQVgGJH9
— Jimmy Wixtrom (@jimmywixtrom) May 12, 2017
Translation by Magnus Cadelin.
Photos: Inside Tre Kronor
