Jared Bednar furious over no whistle as Scott Wedgewood gets injured

In a recent National Hockey League match, the Colorado Avalanche faced the Buffalo Sabres where a controversial incident occurred in the third period. The play involved Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood who was hurt after Sabres forward Zach Benson collided with him following a push from center Parker Kelly. As Wedgewood remained down and unable to get up, the referees did not blow the whistle to halt play, allowing the Sabres to score a goal. Coach Jared Bednar was particularly upset about this lack of enforcement concerning player safety. He argued that if a player is injured and remains on the ice, the officials should stop the play to evaluate the situation, especially given the apparent injury to Wedgewood. The aftermath of the incident saw Bednar visibly angry during his post-game remarks, where he lambasted the decision not to whistle dead the play. He insisted that regardless of whether a penalty was caused by his team, player safety should be the utmost priority. The goal, which was met with Bednar's challenge for goaltender interference, finally stood and contributed to an initial three-goal deficit that the Avalanche managed to overcome. Nonetheless, the incident ignited a fire in the Avalanche players, eventually leading to a dramatic come-from-behind victory, winning 6-5 in overtime. Wedgewood was assisted off the ice after the injury, and his replacement, Mackenzie Blackwood, took over in goal. Following the game, Bednar hinted at further discussions with league officials regarding the incident, stressing that he doesn't care about potential repercussions for speaking out. Teammates acknowledged the motivation that the play provided, highlighting the need to focus on the game moving forward but expressing concern for Wedgewood's health. This game not only underscored a critical moment regarding officiating in the NHL but also demonstrated the dedication of the Avalanche to overcoming adversity. The clash raised questions regarding officiating standards and player safety within the league, opening up discussions about the protocols in place for situations involving potentially injured players. Bednar's strong words perhaps signal a call for more stringent enforcement of safety measures on the ice, something that many players and coaches would undoubtedly support as they seek to ensure the well-being of all athletes involved in the sport.