Matt Hendricks is beloved by Edmonton Oilers fans and media by displaying the grit, toughness and leadership teams covet.

All the common buzzwords associated with bottom-six forwards.

Hendricks certainly displayed some fortitude during Thursday night's game against the Dallas Stars when he blocked a slapshot in the groin area and immediately fell to the ice in extreme discomfort.

[nesn_embed service=youtube src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qf9CLuf0_cE" width="640" height="360"]

Ouch, that's got to hurt.

Luckily, Hendricks' equipment saved him from what could have been a much, much worse scenario.

To make matters worse, the Stars beat the Oilers 3-2.

Stick tap to Deadspin