Jared Bednar, the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, suffered significant facial injuries after being struck by a puck during a recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights. This incident has immediate implications for the Avalanche as Bednar will miss two crucial games, including matchups against the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames.
Bednar was hit in the face by a deflected puck shot by Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar, which errantly flew into the Avalanche bench. The impact resulted in facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, leading to Bednar being escorted down the tunnel shortly after the incident and subsequently taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Fortunately, it has been confirmed that Bednar will not require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. Brendan McNicholas, a representative from the Avalanche, stated, “He took a puck to the right cheek. He’s fully alert, fully conscious.” This news provides some relief to the team and its fans, as Bednar’s leadership has been pivotal throughout the season.
In Bednar’s absence, assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will take the reins for the upcoming games. 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 have already clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular-season team this year, which adds a layer of pressure to maintain their performance without their head coach on the bench.
As the team prepares for their road trip, they will face the Edmonton Oilers on Monday and the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. The absence of Bednar could impact their strategy and execution, especially against formidable opponents.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline for Bednar’s return, but the Avalanche organization is optimistic about his recovery. The next few games will be critical as the team aims to solidify their position heading into the playoffs.
