Hard to believe it's been 27 years since the "Clint Malarchuk neck incident." If you were either at the game or watching it on TV, just hearing the Buffalo Sabres' goaltender's name will flash you back to March 22, 1989.

The Sabres were playing the St. Louis Blues when during a play, Steve Tuttle of the Blues and Uwe Krupp of the Sabres crashed into the goal crease.

Tuttle's skate blade hit the right front side of Malarchuk's neck, severing his carotid artery and injuring the jugular vein.

WARNING: Graphic video below.

Both viewers at home and ticket holders at the game were horrified, nearly a dozen fans passed out in the stands because the incident was so gruesome with blood on the ice.

Astonishingly, Malarchuk's life was spared by the team's athletic trainer, Jim Pizzutelli.  He gripped onto  Malarchuk's neck and pinched off the blood vessel, refusing to let go until doctors arrived on the scene.

Thankfully Malarchuk recovered and returned to hockey and eventually would move on to coaching.

It truly was a horrifying experience watching as a fan.  Have memories to share about the incident, let us know!

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