Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar discussed a controversial decision by the league to not blow the whistle during a play when goaltender Scott Wedgewood was injured in Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. While Bednar had a productive conversation with the league about the incident, he expressed differences in opinion on the matter.
He emphasized his concern over player safety, arguing that the whistle should have been blown when the puck moved into the corner, given Wedgewood was down on the ice. The lack of a whistle allowed the Sabres to score, though the Avalanche ultimately rallied for a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory.
Wedgewood’s injury occurred after Sabres forward Zach Benson collided with Avalanche center Parker Kelly and fell into Wedgewood’s leg. Despite the situation, the play continued, leading to a Sabres goal. The incident fired up the Avalanche players, who responded with determination, tying the game with 8 seconds left and winning in overtime on a goal by Devon Toews.
However, the injury raised broader concerns for the team, with Wedgewood expected to miss several weeks. The Avalanche are awaiting test results to confirm the severity, hoping to avoid a high ankle sprain that could sideline him for six weeks.
In addition to Wedgewood’s injury, the Avalanche are dealing with several other absences, including key players like Valeri Nichushkin and captain Gabriel Landeskog. Despite these challenges, the team has maintained strong performance, riding a six-game winning streak. Bednar praised the resilience and skill of players like Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Toews, who have kept the team competitive amidst adversity. He remains optimistic about the team’s potential once they regain full health.
With Wedgewood out, the Avalanche will rely on goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who has excelled since being acquired from San Jose. Blackwood has posted impressive stats, including a 6-1 record and a 1.93 goals-against average. Confident in his ability to handle an increased workload, Blackwood is prepared for the challenges ahead, including back-to-back games. To support Blackwood, the Avalanche plan to call up Trent Miner from their AHL affiliate as a backup goaltender.
Bednar highlighted the importance of having two reliable goalies and expressed confidence in Blackwood’s ability to step up during Wedgewood’s absence. The coach acknowledged the tough situation but emphasized the need to adapt and keep pushing forward. With a strong core of talented players and a determined mindset, the Avalanche are focused on maintaining their momentum as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Montreal Canadiens.