PHOTO: Hendricks cracks jock blocking slap shot

Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Hendricks is not having a good day.

During the second period of Thursday's game against the Dallas Stars, the entire crowd at the American Airlines Center groaned as the 34-year-old inadvertently took a slap shot to the groin.

To make matters worse, Hendricks appeared to hit his head off a railing as he limped towards the dressing room.

@nielsonTSN1260 please tell me I'm not the only one to see Hendricks smash his head on the railing after leaving lol pic.twitter.com/obzYQxGBxj

- Mike Fitz (@Fitzy17) January 22, 2016

Following the game Hendricks posted a couple pictures of the aftermath of his protective cup, which - despite taking some heavy damage - held its own.

Id like to thank Bike & @RussellAthletic for saving my bacon tonight! #closecall pic.twitter.com/heGYVlQnqr

- Matt Hendricks (@MattHendy26) January 22, 2016

They don't call it the most important piece of equipment for nothing.

Copyright (C) 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.