Hockey players have earned a reputation for being tough, and on Monday night, New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein more than lived up to it. The Rangers defensemen returned to the game after suffering an intense injury and eventually netted the game winning goal in overtime.

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According to media reports, early in the game, Klein was on the receiving end of a high stick from Pittsburgh's Zach Sill, and part of Klein's ear was ripped off during the play. Klein simply had somebody sew the piece of his ear back on and returned to the game like it was no big deal.

The Rangers were certainly glad that he did, as he eventually decided the contest with his second goal in two games. Klein has shown more of an offensive punch this season than in years past, and some are even clamoring for him to play a bigger role on the team because of it.

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"I am getting a lot of heat because I'm not using him on the power play," said Rangers coach Alain Vigneault with a smile. "That is the second time he has come up real big for us in overtime. Good for him. He lost a piece of his ear, and they sewed it back. Say what you want about hockey players, but they are tough."