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TORONTO – A long-time Arizona Coyotes’ fan got a standing ovation and maybe a few bruises at the game on Saturday night after his son – who had been serving a tour in Afghanistan – surprised him before the puck drop.

Ronnie Urman was invited out to drop the puck at the Coyotes’ final game of the season on Saturday night. As he was walking to centre ice, the arena announcer could be heard saying a “surprise guest” had been chosen to bring the puck to him — Urman’s son, Sgt. Dan Urman, who had just returned from a tour in Afghanistan.

Ronnie, clad in a Coyotes jersey and visibly shocked, had the carpet come out from under him and fell flat on his back while hugging his son.

The embrace didn’t stop as the two briefly lay on the ice.

“That is unbelievable,” one of the colour commentators said. “Take a look at that, that is a proud father right there.”

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A video of the embrace, and the fall, has gone viral, getting over 500,000 views on YouTube since it was posted on Saturday.