In a concerning incident during the game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar suffered facial fractures and a corneal abrasion after being struck by a puck. This injury will prevent him from traveling with the team for their upcoming two-game road trip.
Bednar was immediately taken to a local hospital for a CT scan, where it was confirmed that he would not require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Brendan McNicholas, a member of the Avalanche staff, stated, “He took a puck to the right cheek. He’s fully alert, fully conscious.”
The incident occurred during a tense match that ended with the Avalanche losing 3-2 in overtime to the Golden Knights. Despite the setback, the Avalanche have already secured the Presidents’ Trophy, ensuring home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
In Bednar’s absence, assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will step in to lead the team. Pratt commented on the situation, saying, “Certainly a little unnerving, right? It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there. It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight.”
The Avalanche’s next game is crucial as they prepare for the playoffs. They will play their last regular season game on April 16, and the team will need to maintain focus and momentum without their head coach.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further developments on Bednar’s recovery timeline, but the team is optimistic about his return. As the playoffs approach, the Avalanche will look to navigate this challenge effectively.