On a seemingly meaningless play with just about five seconds left, Ottawa Senators' young defenseman Erik Brannstrom made a play that left him with a scar to tell his friends about on the playground.
In the final seconds, with the goaltender pulled and Toronto Maple Leafs' forward Auston Matthews seeking a hat-trick on opening night, Brannstrom showed off his no-quit attitude, hustling back to prevent Matthews from accomplishing his feat.
Unfortunately for Brannstrom, Matthews' feat wasn't the issue, but rather his feet were. With Matthews tied up, the Toronto forward went to the ice with his skates high in the air, clipping the defenseman in the face. Brannstrom immediately dropped to the ice while covering his face.
Erik Brannstrom denies Auston Matthews’ hat trick in the final seconds, takes a skate to the face as thanks pic.twitter.com/WkLJaoxYLM
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 3, 2019
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The final seconds ticked off before Brannstrom was treated by a trainer but on Thursday he would show love to those who wished him well with a slightly disturbing look at his injury.
"Got lucky," the caption read. "Thanks for all the kind words, really appreciate it!!"
After receiving stitches, the 20-year-old will be fine, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported.
Brannstrom appeared in two games last season with the Senators. He was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in first round of the 2017 NHL draft.