Canucks’ Alexander Edler Takes Digger After Whiffing Badly On Check (GIF)

For Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler, the transition back to NHL ice after competing on the big Olympic sheet in Sochi was not entirely a smooth process.

During Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over the St. Louis Blues, Edler zeroed in on Blues winger Ryan Reaves along the side boards. The Swedish silver medalist’s hopes for a big hit were dashed, though, as Edler mistimed his check, took a shot to the face from Reaves, flipped into the boards and ended up in a sort of awkward face stand on the ice.

The grimace on his face when he gets up says it all.

Check out Edler’s ill-fated hip check in GIF form below, courtesy of Reddit.