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Jared Bednar, head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, suffers facial fractures after a puck strikes him during Saturday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. This injury sidelines him for the team's crucial road trip to western Canada.
Stay tuned to learn how this unexpected setback could impact the Avalanche's playoff preparations.
Bednar was struck on the right cheek by a puck from Golden Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar, with 16:39 remaining in the third period of a tightly contested 3-2 overtime loss. He was immediately taken to the hospital for a CT scan and is diagnosed with facial fractures and a corneal abrasion. Fortunately, he is expected to recover fully without the need for surgery.
In Bednar's absence, assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will lead the team in their final two regular-season games against Edmonton and Calgary. Pratt described the incident as “a little unnerving,” reflecting the danger coaches face from flying pucks.
Meanwhile, the Avalanche have already clinched the top seed for the upcoming playoffs with 115 points. Defenseman Josh Manson also exited the game in the second period due to an upper-body injury and is currently under evaluation. The Avalanche's playoff journey begins next weekend.
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