Sports

Olympic Hockey Ref Takes Direct Slash To The Face, Returns To Ice Like It’s NBD

Cianna Lieffers was accidentally slashed across the face by Amanda Kessel’s wayward high stick during the U.S.-Canada clash in Beijing.
Lee Moran

Reporter, HuffPost

Canada’s 4-2 preliminary round game win over the U.S. women’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Beijing on Monday left its mark on referee Cianna Lieffers.

Lieffers was accidentally slashed across the face by U.S. forward Amanda Kessel’s wayward high stick during the second period. The scary moment soon went viral on social media. Watch here.

Lieffers, from Canada, left the ice for treatment on what appeared to be a deep cut above her lip, later returning to run the line sporting a bandage.

Referee Cianna Lieffers is assisted after she sustained an injury during play.
Referee Cianna Lieffers is assisted after she sustained an injury during play.
David W Cerny via Reuters

Fans on Twitter hailed Lieffers’ return to duty.

Lee Moran - Reporter, HuffPost

Reporter, HuffPost

OlympicsWinter Olympics