Capitals’ Steven Oleksy breaks skate blade, then things get really awkward (Video)

Midway through the first period at the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night, Washington Capitals defenseman Steven Oleksy blocked a shot by Kevin Bieksa with his skate.

His skate took the worst of it. The blade broke off, leaving Oleksy in that no-man’s land every hockey player loathes to enter – struggling to get back to the bench with one good wheel. Watch and wince:

Just in case you didn’t get how awkward this was, the NHL released a video cut that’s one Tom Bergeron and/or Bob Saget voiceover away from being on “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” OK, or a whiffle bat to the crotch.

Watch the TSN clip here for the full sequence, which offers roughly 10-times the squirm-worthy action.

The clip also doubles as an effective representation of the Capitals’ defense at even strength this season.

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