Here’s a thing that happened: Joe Pavelski scored a goal off his face!
Stream the #StanleyCup Playoffs here: https://t.co/Cxfh9sXayp pic.twitter.com/XDsXvmVnD3
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 11, 2019
We know hockey players are tough, but Joe Pavelski took things to a new level in the Sharks 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
In the first game of the opening-round playoff series, Pavelski redirected a Brent Burns shot into the net with his face. Yes, his face. The shot, which looked to be going over the crossbar, deflected off Pavelski’s chin and into the net for the game’s opening goal.
The Sharks captain lost a couple teeth in the process, but that didn’t stop him from returning with a new face mask.
Not to be graphic but they went looking for Pavelski’s teeth in the shoveled up snow during the tv break. ?
— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) April 11, 2019
Pavelski is back after taking a puck to the face. pic.twitter.com/mCt3TcyW7u
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 11, 2019
Pavelski then gave a postgame interview with a mouth full of blood.
Now this is a hockey player. Pavelski says he knew something was messed up, but it was nice to hear the fans cheer. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/1Loqu4NpUG
— Casey Pratt (@CaseyPrattABC7) April 11, 2019
“Tough as nails,” coach Peter DeBoer told ESPN. “You take a puck to the face like that. Doesn’t go down. There’s no other word for it. He’s a warrior.”
