The Colorado Avalanche head coach will not travel with the team this week due to injuries he suffered after being hit with a puck during a game this weekend.
Jared Bednar will stay home as the team travels for two of its final regular season games in Canada, according to a team release. Bednar was diagnosed with facial fractures and corneal abrasion, but is expected to make a full recovery without surgery.
During Saturday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, a lost puck hit by Keegan Kolesar of the Knights went through the boards and ended up on the Avalanche bench. Bednar was struck in the right side of the face and taken to the hospital to be evaluated.
The assistant coaching staff, which includes Dave Hakstol and Nolan Pratt, took over after Bednar’s departure. Pratt told reporters at the postgame press conference that the hit was “disconcerting.”
“It’s scary when pucks fly out there, it happens all the time,” Pratt said, adding that it was “unfortunate tonight.”
But the team recalibrated and returned to playing, Pratt said.
The Avalanche lost in overtime, but have already secured their playoff spot.
Pratt and Hakstol will lead the Avalanche into Monday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers and Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames. The team will return to Ball Arena in Denver for its final home game before the playoffs on Thursday.
