Glass Panel Falls On Kings Coach During NHL Playoff Game In Denver
D.J. Smith duck for cover as pane breaks behind bench during Game 2 vs Avalanche; 19-minute delay
Quick Look
- A glass panel behind the Los Angeles bench shattered and fell on Kings interim coach D.J.
- Smith during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Tuesday.
- The incident occurred after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood with 16:48 remaining in the second period.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
This incident occurred during Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche. NHL playoff games feature heightened fan excitement, and the glass panels surrounding the ice are designed to contain pucks and players but can be affected by excessive force.
DENVER -- Kings interim coach D.J. Smith quickly ducked when shattered glass fell on him after a pane broke behind the Los Angeles bench during Game 2 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night. It happened right after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood with 16:48 remaining in the second period. The glass began to sway as fans pounded on it in excitement and then it gave way, with pieces raining on Smith. He covered his head and then brushed the glass from his suit before heading down the tunnel to the locker room. He returned a few minutes later. The Avalanche cleanup crew brought out shovels and buckets to clean up the fragments from the L.A. bench. The Kings players mingled on the ice as they waited for a new pane to be brought in and installed. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog told ESPN that he's never seen something like that happen before. "It was loud there when Wedgy made that save and fans got a little too excited," he said. The delay between the penalty save and the resumption of play lasted 19 minutes. The score was 0-0 when play was halted. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Open Questions
- Was the glass panel properly secured?
- Were there any safety inspections done before the game?
- Will the arena take additional safety measures for remaining games?
