In a dramatic turn of events during Game 2 of the NHL playoffs, Los Angeles Kings interim coach D.J. Smith found himself in the line of fire as shattered glass rained down from behind the bench. The incident occurred in the second period after a penalty shot by Quinton Byfield was thwarted by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood, prompting a wave of excitement from the home crowd in Denver.
Chaos at the Bench
As play resumed with 16:48 left in the second period, the excitement in the arena reached a fever pitch. Fans were pounding on the glass, which ultimately gave way, sending shards tumbling onto Smith. “I didn’t have time to duck,” he recounted. “I looked back because it hit me a bunch of times, then it broke.”
Smith quickly covered his head, brushing off the fragments from his suit before disappearing down the tunnel to the locker room. Fortunately, he made a swift return a few minutes later, but not before the Avalanche’s cleanup crew sprang into action with shovels and buckets to clear the debris from the ice and the bench area.
A Long Delay
The unexpected interruption meant a delay exceeding 15 minutes, leaving players on both teams to engage in casual conversation while they awaited the installation of a new glass panel. The score remained 0-0 at the time, with the Avalanche eventually securing a 2-1 overtime victory thanks to a decisive goal from Nicolas Roy. This win propelled Colorado to a commanding 2-0 series lead as they prepare for Game 3 on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog observed the excitement that led to the mishap. “It was loud there when ‘Wedgy’ made that save and fans got a little too excited,” he told ESPN hockey analyst Erik Johnson. The incident, while unusual, was a testament to the fervour of playoff hockey.
Commentary from the Coaches
Reflecting on the incident, Landeskog acknowledged the uncontrollable nature of such occurrences. “There’s nothing you can do about it, so you just deal with it,” he stated. He noted that the presence of so many players on the ice may have caused the ice surface to wear a bit, but praised the ice crew’s efforts to expedite the repairs.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar also shared his thoughts on the unexpected delay. “That’s a different one,” he remarked, adding that the excitement of the fans and the intensity of the game contributed to the unusual situation. “It felt like playoff hockey,” he concluded, highlighting the unique atmosphere of the postseason.
Why it Matters
This incident serves as a vivid reminder of the unpredictability of playoff hockey, where tension and excitement often reach a boiling point. It underscores the fervent passion of fans and the physical nature of the game, all of which contribute to the thrilling spectacle of the NHL playoffs. For players and coaches alike, it was a moment to navigate, but one that ultimately added to the rich tapestry of playoff lore. As the series progresses, such unforeseen events will surely keep both teams on their toes, reminding everyone that in hockey, anything can happen.
