An Evan Bouchard dump-in deflected out of play and hit a fan in the face, and the fan shook it off like a champ.
There was a short delay before the next puck drop so arena staff could tend to him. He grabbed a towel, held it to his face and powered through.
He received medical assistance, and in the end he stayed to watch the rest of the game.
It was an unlucky bounce. Bouchard's dump-in got deflected on its way in, sending the puck out of play and straight into the crowd.
Nobody meant for it to happen, and the game stayed paused until staff made sure the fan was okay.
Bouchard is having a monster start. He has six goals and 15 points in seven games, with a +14 rating.
Evan Bouchard's hot start keeps the Oilers rolling despite a loss
The 26-year-old carries a $10,500,000 cap hit, and Mike Babcock has already said he should be in the Norris race every year.
Edmonton is 5-1-1 after a 4-2 home loss to Utah on Thursday. The Oilers visit Utah on Saturday for a quick rematch.
The delay was the right call, and the fan deserves a round of applause. People near the glass accept some risk, but nobody expects a deflected dump-in to the face.
It's like a foul ball at a baseball game, except nobody in the stands brought a glove.
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Moments like this are a reminder of how fast the puck travels, even on a routine play. Thankfully, this one ended with the fan back in his seat.
Bouchard has made plenty of highlight plays this season. This one, at least, the fan will remember for very different reasons.
Should NHL arenas add more protection for fans near the glass?
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