Calgary Flames forward Kris Versteeg did what many players are taught at a young age – block the shot. The mentality is that if the puck gets blocked then the shot won’t hit the net, thus the opposing team can’t score.
On the flip side, you’re technically screening your goalie and the deflection might do more harm than good if you don’t fully stop the shot and it gets through. Anyways, that’s a topic for another day.
Versteeg was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time in a tilt against Carolina.
On the original shot, I’m not sure if Versteeg meant to get in the way of the scoring chance, but blocked the puck nonetheless. He went down fast after the puck caught the inside of his knee. Play continued with Versteeg hurt on the ice.
Carolina continued to control the puck and Jeff Skinner (who hit Versteeg seconds prior) was set up for the one-timer near the blue line. Skinner unloaded the puck and it managed to find Versteeg’s neck/head area.
Once Calgary corralled the puck play was stopped. Versteeg was helped off the ice but did return later in the game.
