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Blackhawks Fan Cut by Broken Glass Stays for Game, Puts Off Stitches

By Justin Breen | March 8, 2015 9:01pm | Updated on March 9, 2015 4:15am

CHICAGO — Alexis Bovard has a great excuse for missing work Monday.

Bovard, of Lakeview, became a cult hero after a piece of glass was dislodged by a crunching check and fell on her head during the first period of Friday's Blackhawks-Oilers game at the United Center.

Bovard, who was sitting in the second row, suffered a nasty gash but instead of bailing, got patched up by medical personnel on the concourse and returned to her seat for the majority of the game.

Bovard discusses the experience on DNAinfo Radio:

Bovard was attending her first NHL game. She was interviewed by Canadian television network Sportsnet, which was highlighted by her quote: “I was hoping my brain wasn’t everywhere."

After she left the United Center, Bovard and her boyfriend, Michael Khalil, took a cab to Rush Hospital, where she got seven stitches. She didn't get home until 2:30 a.m. Saturday. By Sunday night, Bovard told DNAinfo her head hurt much more than it did on Friday.

"I'm taking Monday off," said Bovard, a senior associate at PwC. "I'm on medical leave, and it's crazy because I'm in a lot more pain today because of whiplash and lingering effects. I had so much adrenaline at the game, but now I'm kinda paying for it."

Bovard spent the weekend at her Lakeview home, where she "embarrassingly watched myself on SportsCenter and the news," as her interview with Sportsnet quickly became viral. She also responded to countless texts, emails and Facebook messages from family and friends.

"It's insane," Bovard said. "I feel I have to pinch myself because of all the people who reached out to me."

Bovard, a University of Illinois graduate, said she feels fortunate the injury wasn't worse. She said a CT scan at Rush came back clear. The stitches — most of them under her hairline — will heal, and the soreness will go away.

"I watch too much 'Grey's Anatomy,' and it could have been way, way worse," she said. "I don't have a broken nose, I don't have a concussion, I'm glad my brain is not everywhere."

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Bovard, who was surprised by Khalil with the tickets, said the medical workers at the Hawks game were "great and very attentive."

She said she hasn't heard from the team since Friday's game and doesn't have plans to go to another tilt.

As for when she'll go back to the United Center, Bovard said, while laughing: "As soon as the Blackhawks give me free tickets."

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