
By @MichaelCaples –
We’re sure you’ve seen the photo by now.
Zach Werenski, bubble back on, with a whole set of blue and purple and red shades covering his face below his right eye.
Or the one he posted after the game – similar grossness factor.
.@ZachWerenski. Hockey player. pic.twitter.com/CCZWuPPfl0
— MiHockey (@MiHockeyNow) April 17, 2017
The 19-year-old Columbus defenseman and Grosse Pointe native took a puck to the face during his Sunday playoff game against Pittsburgh, and despite bleeding all over the ice, returned to the contest.
He couldn’t make it back out for overtime – Werenski’s eye had completely swollen shut.
Playoff hockey… pic.twitter.com/4GNoLYVECu
— Zach Werenski (@ZachWerenski) April 17, 2017
The fact that he ever returned to action is remarkable, given today’s news – the former NTDP and Michigan blueliner has facial fractures, and he’s done for the rest of the playoffs.
Zach Werenski is out for the remainder of the season, per John Tortorella.
Watch live: https://t.co/DPKBmxz5lI #CBJ
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 17, 2017
He earned even more respect from his coach after coming back for the third period – he didn’t really need it though, as John Tortorella already loves him.
.@BlueJacketsNHL coach John Tortorella had some, ‘colorful’, language in response to Werenski coming back after a puck hit him in the face. pic.twitter.com/JfVpFcj0Ai
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 17, 2017