Like most athletes, Brandon Pirri has fought his way back from injury before, but his return to action Wednesday night took on an added significance.
Pirri wasn’t physically ready to play when the Ducks acquired him in a deal with the Florida Panthers at the February 29 trade deadline, sending a sixth-round pick to Florida for the 24-year-old winger. Back on February 13 in a game against Nashville, Pirri suffered an ankle injury on a scary play while chasing the puck behind the net. He slid skate-first into the boards, causing his foot to twist in a way feet aren’t supposed to twist (viewer discretion advised on the cringe-worthy video).