Canucks' Bieksa chooses not to wear visor after eye-injury scare

The phrase "safety first" doesn't seem to apply to Kevin Bieksa.

Two days after being struck in the eye by an errant puck and narrowly escaping a serious eye injury, Bieksa took to the ice for Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche without a protective visor.

In an odd twist, Bieksa was assessed a four-minute high-sticking penalty early in the first period.

Beginning last season, all players entering the NHL are required to wear a visor, and Bieksa's taking full advantage of the grandfathering of that rule.