Colorado Avalanche Coach Jared Bednar Hospitalized After Being Struck by Puck: Team Faces Uncertainties Ahead of Road Trip
The Colorado Avalanche coach, Jared Bednar, was struck by a puck on his right cheek during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights, leading to his hospitalization for further evaluation. Despite the incident, Bednar was alert and conscious and underwent a CT scan. Assistant coach Dave Hakstol took over coaching duties for the rest of the game. The Avalanche team is uncertain if Bednar will join them on their upcoming road trip to Edmonton.
During the game, a puck flew off the stick of Knights defenceman Keegan Kolesar, hitting Bednar behind the Colorado bench. The impact caused Bednar to bend over in pain and be assisted to the locker room by a trainer. Assistant coach Nolan Pratt expressed the common occurrence of pucks flying into the bench area and the need to quickly refocus after such incidents.
In addition to Bednar's injury, the Avalanche also faced the loss of defenceman Josh Manson to an upper-body injury in the second period. The team is awaiting further evaluation to determine Manson's availability for the upcoming games. Despite these setbacks, the Avalanche secured the top overall seed with 115 points, showcasing their strong performance in the league.
As the Avalanche prepare for a two-game road trip to Edmonton, the team faces uncertainties regarding the availability of both Bednar and Manson. The coaching staff and players will need to adapt to these changes and maintain their competitive edge as they continue their pursuit of success in the league.