John Giannone Hit With Puck: Rangers Reporter Takes Shot To The Face From Runaway Rubber (VIDEO)

Sometimes the best seat in the house isn't always the safest.

MSG rinkside reporter John Giannone was in the wrong place at the wrong time on Thursday when he found himself on the opposite end of an errant clearing attempt from Rangers defenseman Marc Staal during a rival game against the Islanders.

As Giannone prepared to lead the broadcast into intermission with an on-ice interview before the end of the second period, Staal sent the puck over the boards with a backhanded sweep that walloped the sportscaster square in the face. But in traditional hockey fashion, Giannone stepped up for his next shift without missing a beat.

"He's a gamer," play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen said as Rangers trainer Jim Ramsey tended to the banged-up broadcaster. New York defenseman Michael Del Zotto also praised him for his toughness after the game on Twitter.

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