Avalanche coach Jared Bednar leaves game after being hit by puck

Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar had to leave the bench during Saturday's loss to the Vegas Golden Knights when he was hit by a puck. Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar was trying to bank the puck off the boards during the third period of the April 11 game, but it went into the Avalanche bench and hit Bednar in the side of the head. A trainer looked at the coach, who went to the dressing room with a towel being held to his head.

Bednar had not returned by the end of the game, and ESPN reported afterward that the coach was still being evaluated. Avs head coach Jared Bednar took an attempted dump-in from Keegan Kolesar to the side of the head and has left the bench 🤕 pic. twitter.

com/Qh0uQQSXgd — Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 12, 2026 The Golden Knights beat the Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche 3-2 in overtime to clinch a playoff spot and move past the Edmonton Oilers into the Pacific Division lead. Bednar wasn't the only member of the Avalanche to leave the game. Defenseman Josh Manson didn't return after suffering an upper-body injury.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avalanche coach Jared Bednar hit by puck, leaves Golden Knights game