Despite being hit in the jaw late in Monday's 2-1 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights, Tanev only required 12 stitches
How the after-effects were not worse remains a mystery, but Calgary Flames defenceman Chris Tanev was back on the ice for practice on Wednesday, two days after being hit the face by a puck while blocking a shot.
No concussion. No broken jaw. The worst impact from the puck to the face late in his team’s 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights was a dozen stitches, hidden by Tanev’s beard.
“I’m very fortunate with this one. We were quite worried when it happened,” Tanev said. “Thankfully I just got cut.
“Probably not the smartest play but the only way I was getting in front of the puck was by coming across the net that way.”
Tanev is expected to hit the ice when the Flames play host to the Dallas Stars on Thursday, although he will be monitored after Wednesday’s session to ensure a har skate doesn’t create issues.
Tanev’s reckless abandon for blocking shots is already legendary, but even the Flames had to stand up and take notice after this one.
“My stomach hurt,” goalie Jacob Markstrom said. “I’ve seen it for over a decade, how selfless he is. Every time that stuff happens, I ask him him what he’s doing and he says, ‘Yeah, I didn’t plan that well.’
“That was scary. I haven’t met a tougher human being in my lifetime. He’s the ultimate teammate.”
Last season, the Flames posted an 8-6-3 record last season without Tanev in the lineup, and are thrilled an absence doesn’t appear in the cards.
“The way he plays the game, he’s got total disregard for his own body for the betterment of his team,” coach Ryan Huska said. “If you had everybody in your group who had a little bit of what he’s got, woof, he’s that important of a person in our locker room. You never want to see a guy try to block a shot with his face, but that’s Chris.”
In fact, he’s able to laugh about it, especially when it was mentioned he saved the remaining front tooth.
“I don’t mind if the snaggle tooth is gone. I wouldn’t mind that,” he said with a gap-toothed grin.