Hockey player loses part of ear during game

Daniel Winnik #26 of the Washington Capitals carries the puck during a game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on October 20, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida.

Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Daniel Winnik #26 of the Washington Capitals carries the puck during a game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on October 20, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida.

Fans know hockey is a rough sport.

Broken bones, missing teeth and cuts and bruises are all part of the game.

But a player for the Washington Capitals lost another part of his body.

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Forward Daniel Winnik lost part of his ear blocking a shot in Thursday game against the Florida Panthers, ESPN reported.

Winnik slid down to the ice and tried to block a shot from Panthers player Reilly Smith during a third-period power play.

The puck hit Winnik in the side of the head.

"He got the puck sort of in the ear hole, and it sort of pinched off his ear," Caps coach Barry Trotz said.

"Trainers looked at him, and he was just fine, just missing a piece of his ear. It was just a small piece, but it got chewed up."