Ice hockey ref will get standing ovation after struggling each man’s worst nightmare

Justin Kea was in the wrong place at the wrong time as he took a puck below the belt when he was officiating a Western Conference clash between the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club

NHL referee Justin Kea referee was handed a standing ovation after suffering every man’s worst nightmare.

The ice hockey official was in the wrong place in at the wrong time when he took a puck to the nether regions during the Western Conference clash between the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club.

Utah’s Alexander Kerfoot was trying to clear the puck – when he lasered it into Kea’s manhood.

Kea keeled over immediately onto the ice and the game was stopped as medical personnel rushed to his aid. The referee was able to get back to his feet and finish the remaining 84 seconds of the game.

He was handed a standing ovation from the fans – no doubt counting their lucky stars that they weren’t on the end of the puck.

“This hurt me,” one fan joked. While a second said: “Will always hate the officials but gotta give respect when its needed!”

Dylan Guenther scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with just under six minutes remaining in the third period – to take the score to 2-1.

Utah Hockey Club were able to hold out and take the win, as Kea suffered the unfortunate shot to the groin.

Kea was originally an ice hockey player – and he was drafted in the third round (73rd overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in 2012 after playing two seasons for the Saginaw Spirit.

He would play four seasons of junior hockey, bouncing between the AHL and ECHL before hanging up the skates and turning to officiating.

He landed his role with the NHL Officials Association in 2021.