Drew Miller is a lucky man.
Miller, a Detroit Red Wings forward, was left with severe cuts after being struck in the face by a skate during Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators.
WARNING: The following image is not for the squeamish.
Thank God, Miller's eye was not damaged. pic.twitter.com/0oKR3YO2YF
— Red Wings Memes (@RedWingsMemes) April 1, 2015Red Wings’ Drew Miller Takes A Skate To The Face, Narrowly Misses Eye http://t.co/Xj1IFMMlFE pic.twitter.com/Dz2WUn1rDb
— Next Impulse Sports (@NextImpulse) April 1, 2015Miller is being treated for two cuts near his right eye. However, the razor-sharp skate blade didn't strike Miller's eye, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Miller's injury was accidental. The Senators' Mark Stone hits Miller while kicking his leg out as a result of falling.
Miller was questionable for Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins.
UPDATE: Miller spoke to media members on Wednesday, saying he was "very lucky" Stone's skate didn't strike his eye. He also skated with the Wings in practice. His vision, according to the Detroit Free Press, is fine.
"Right now, it's just dealing with the cut and the stitches and the soreness," he said. "Other than that, my eye is good, and when I got on the ice today, I felt pretty good."
Miller's described his panicked reaction.
"Right away, I knew something bad had happened," Miller said. "My first reaction was to get off the ice and get as close to the doctors as I could. I didn't know what was cut, exactly. I knew it was my eye area, so I wasn't sure if my eye was gone or what was going on."
There was lots of blood, Miller said, "so I couldn't see as well. But once they got it cleaned out, I was able to look with both eyes at the doctor. It was a big relief, there. Very fortunate and happy that nothing bad happened there."