Hockey is about giving your all to the team, and if you’re a defenseman, putting your body on the line to keep the puck away from your own net. Hockey players are a different breed in the world of sports.
NHL players are absolute warriors, and Chris Tanev proved it once again in Monday’s contest with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Calgary Flames defenseman was forced off the ice and had to leave the game after blocking a shot from William Karlsson—with his face.
William Karlsson has a great shot on him and was in a prime goal-scoring chance in the third period with the game tied 1-1. Karlsson secured a loose puck in the Flames zone, and Tanev did everything to stop the puck from going to the net.
Tanev was bleeding but got up from the ice fairly quickly. He rushed to the bench and then to the locker room with a team trainer.
Tanev had left the game in the first period after a collision in front of his own net but returned later on. He then performed a potentially game-winning block with his face.
Tanev didn’t return to the game, but from the locker room, he could watch his teammates win the game with 4.8 seconds remaining in overtime through a MacKenzie Weegar goal.
Per Sportsbet’s Eric Francis, Tanev “looked fine” in the dressing room postgame, which is good news for the Flames.
Although he’s only contributed with five points in 21 games this season, he’s been, as always, solid defensively.
“Just saw Chris Tanev in the dressing room, and he looked fine after taking that puck to the face,” Francis wrote on X.
On social media, Tanev received a lot of praise from fans for his brave blocking effort on Karlsson’s shot.
“Fkin warrior,” one said.
“Chris Tanev doing Chris Tanev things,” another said.
“Hockey guy,” a third added.
Respect!
