Avalanche HC Jared Bednar taken to hospital after being hit by puck

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar was taken to a hospital for evaluation after being struck by a puck during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.

The incident occurred in the third period when a puck off the stick of Keegan Kolesar deflected into Colorado’s bench and hit Bednar in the right cheek. The play developed as Jack Drury disrupted Kolesar’s attempt, causing the puck to change 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 did not return to the bench, and assistant coach Dave Hakstol assumed head coaching duties for the remainder of the game.

The loss didn’t carry much weight as 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.

In addition to Bednar, Colorado also lost defenseman Josh Manson to an upper-body injury late in the second period. Center Nazem Kadri is also dealing with a hand injury sustained on April 7, though he is expected back before the postseason.

The Avalanche, who have 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, with his status still uncertain.

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