Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was taken to a hospital for evaluation after being struck by a puck during a 3-2 extra time loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.
The incident occurred within the third period when a puck off the stick of Keegan Kolesar deflected into Colorado’s bench and hit Bednar in the correct cheek. The play developed as Jack Drury disrupted Kolesar’s attempt, causing the puck to alter direction and travel over the boards. Bednar immediately reacted, holding his head before being assisted to the dressing room by the team’s training staff.
A team spokesperson confirmed Bednar was alert and conscious before being transported to a hospital for a CT scan and further evaluation. He didn’t return to the bench, and assistant coach Dave Hakstol assumed head coaching duties for the rest of the sport.
The loss didn’t carry much weight because the Avalanche had already claimed the Presidents’ Trophy and the No. 1 overall seed with 115 points. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights clinched a playoff berth with the win and moved ahead of the Edmonton Oilers for the Pacific Division lead.
Along with Bednar, Colorado also lost defenseman Josh Manson to an upper-body injury late within the second period. Center Nazem Kadri can also be coping with a hand injury sustained on April 7, though he is anticipated back before the postseason.
The Avalanche, who’ve reached the playoffs in each of Bednar’s nine seasons since 2016-17 and won the Stanley Cup in 2022, will begin a two-game road trip in Edmonton on Sunday, along with his status still uncertain.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was taken to a hospital for evaluation after being struck by a puck during a 3-2 extra time loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night. The incident occurred within the third period when a puck off the stick of Keegan Kolesar deflected into Colorado’s bench and hit Bednar in the correct cheek.