Capitals forward Daniel Winnik is without slightly less ear than what he had when he started Thursday’s game against the Panthers. That piece of ear, described as only a “little piece” by coach Barry Trotz, sits someplace on the BB&T Center ice where Winnik laid out to block a Reilly Smith slap shot in the third period that hit him upside the head.
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(WARNING: Graphic images below.)
Winnik, true to his hockey player nature, returned to the game after a brief absence and is fine.
Trotz seemed unconcerned as he nonchalantly relayed the gruesome news to reporters following Washington’s 4-2 victory.
“He was just fine, just missing a piece of his ear,” he said. “It’s just a small piece, but it got chewed up.”
