Photo gear breaks. It’s an occupational hazard.

On Thursday night, about halfway through photographing the second period of the Dallas Stars’ game against the Buffalo Sabres at American Airlines Center in Dallas, my 70-200mm f2.8 lens took a direct hit from a hockey puck. Fortunately for me and those nearby, the lens was the only thing damaged.

Years ago, when San Antonio freelance photographer Darren Abate took me to shoot my first hockey game, he wisely told me, “Rule 1 when shooting hockey: Always cover the hole.”

Photographers use small holes in the glass surrounding hockey rinks to cover games. The holes are generally around 5 inches by 6 inches, give or take — just big enough to peer through with a lens. Each hole has a cover that is placed securely over the hole when it’s not being used.

My plan on this night was to use a photo hole for the first two periods, then shoot from an overhead position in the third period.

A view of a photo hole used by photographers to shoot images at American Airlines Center before the NHL game between the Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 16, 2020. (Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

I photographed the first period, edited and transmitted some images and then went back to the hole for the second period as planned.

The Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn dives for the puck during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 16, 2020, at American Airlines Center in Dallas. (Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

About halfway through the second period, I saw a player take a slap shot that looked like it could fly directly at me from across the ice.

Heeding the advice from Darren, I covered the hole with my lens and stepped my body away from the camera. I felt a thump as the puck hit the glass and immediately bounced back into play. I slowly tilted my camera up to see that the lens was shattered.

Ice Girls, EMS and security guards were standing behind me. They saw the shattered lens and they looked shocked. I shrugged and said, “I guess I’m done here. I’ll head upstairs for the rest of the game.”

I wrapped the broken lens in a trash bag, edited and transmitted some photos, then continued to cover the game with a 400mm f2.8 from an elevated position.

Ashley Landis, staff visual journalist at The Dallas Morning News, photographs the third period of the Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres game from an elevated spot at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Jan. 16, 2020. (Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

I was lucky. The puck could’ve easily flown through the photo hole and hit me or anyone near me. I could’ve not been paying attention, or I could’ve not seen it coming. I could’ve had my face to the viewfinder and ended up with a black eye or worse.

Professional photographers face hazards like these all the time. It is critically important that we pay attention and rely on our experience and the expertise of those around us to stay safe. Broken gear and injuries can’t always be avoided. But if I have half a second to choose injury or broken gear, I will always sacrifice the gear.