Do you use a padded shirt or a neck gaurd? Like the v8 or slr2 shirts or aegis pro G neckguard or Kovi?
i have found that best way to avoid major bruises which can still happen is to layer up your protection.
I use a Aegis pro G neck gaurd and a v8 padded shirt. Still get minor bruise but does help your protect against some ex major junior and nhlers players that I normally play against in shinny.