MONTREAL – There are more cracks in Jeb Brovsky’s nose than there were good chances on goal at Stade Saputo on Wednesday night.
The Impact right back’s nose was fractured in six places in the last moments of the Amway Canadian Championship final first leg against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Brovsky got the worst of an aerial duel with ‘Caps defender Jordan Harvey in the penalty box and left the field with his face a bloody mess.
Brovsky nevertheless came back to finish the game with gauze up his nose. He left for the hospital immediately after the game, while his coach and teammates told the media of their admiration for him.
“That’s Jeb,” simply said Marco Schällibaum. “He’s a warrior. It’s impressive. That’s also why I love this team. His nose was here, [on his cheekbone]. You have to respect players like that, who give everything they have for their team.”
Hassoun Camara went a step further.
“He’s my hero,” Camara said. “I mean, he strings games together regularly, and at a high level. I’m really proud to play with a player like him. With the mentality he instills in his partners, he’s an example. I hope it’s not too bad.”
Sat next to Camara, Patrice Bernier suggested that Brovsky would take a leaf out of Aurélien Collin’s book, circa August 2012.
“We’re going to put a mask on him anyway,” Bernier said, eliciting laughter in the media room. “And I’m pretty sure he’ll want to play with that mask on.”
In the meantime, Brovsky will be reexamined in two days. He will be held out of training for one week.
