A fraction lower and Robbie Short’s pro hockey career would likely be over.

Four games into his second season in the Southern Professional Hockey League, the former Vernon Viper took a skate in the face in an accidental collision with Louisiana Ice Gators teammate Clark Byczynski during an Oct. 28 game against the Augusta Riverhawks. The resulting gash bisected his eyebrow and eyelid, requiring 52 stitches.

“He (Byczynski) tried to make a move to his right... and he took a knee-on-knee and his leg spun around... and came right up and cut me across the eye,” said Short, 22. “When I closed my eyelid I could see out my eyebrow. It was as close as I could get it to my eyeball.”