Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy posted a photo of his swollen face after taking an elbow to the head from Florida Panthers left wing Sandis Vilmanis in the first period of his team’s 5-4 shootout road loss on Wednesday.
The tough-as-nails McAvoy exited the game but returned before the second period and finished the contest. He played 22 minutes and five seconds and registered an assist and two blocked shots.
The 28-year-old McAvoy, who has played all nine of his NHL seasons with the Bruins, will now play for Team USA at the Winter Olympics. The men’s hockey tournament begins on Wednesday, and the Americans begin their schedule on Thursday against Latvia.