Hockey·Video

Jack Capuano hit in the face by stray puck

New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano left the game for a few minutes after taking a ricochet puck to the nose with his team up 4-2 in the second half of the third period Wednesday in Tampa.

Coach returns in final minutes to see team hang on for win

Islanders coach Jack Capuano takes puck to the head

9 years ago
Duration 0:40
New York head coach Jack Capuano takes a puck to the head during the third period of game one on Wednesday night.

New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano had to leave the bench late in Game 1 after taking a puck to the nose during the third period Wednesday in Tampa, Fla.

The Amalie Arena staff took the opportunity to play the iconic Queen lyric "You've got blood on your face, you big disgrace," as Isles assistant coach Bob Corkum took over behind the bench.

Capuano's Islanders were leading 4-2 when a puck ricocheted out of play and into the New York bench, striking him square in the face. When he returned five minutes later, the Lightning had closed the gap to 4-3 and were pressing for the tying goal. 

But with Tampa's net empty, Cal Clutterbuck scored to make it 5-3 and give the Isles a 1-0 series lead.

After the game, Capuano was non-plussed.

"I've been hit more times, I think, than when I played," Capuano said. "Fortunately, it just caught me at the tip of the nose and nothing real serious."

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET in Tampa.