Adam Pelech takes skate to face from Derek Stepan (Video)
New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech took a skate to the face in Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers.
Pelech did not appear to be injured and returned to action shortly, but the play looked scary when it happened. A video is above.
After a turnover in his own zone, Pelech tried to chase down Rangers forward Derek Stepan on a partial breakaway. As Pelech dove to knock the puck away, Stepan’s skate caught Pelech in the face. Pelech touched his face with his glove after the play ended.
He left the game and missed the rest of the first period but returned for the start of the second period.
Here is a photo of Pelech’s face after he came back.
Pelech notched an assist (his first NHL point) in the third period on a Brock Nelson goal. The Islanders won the game 3-1 on the strength of three scores in the final frame.
Coming into Thursday, the 21-year-old Pelech had played in six career NHL games – all this year. He was a minus-1 and averaged 16:47 of ice-time.
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