Colorado Avalanche winger Andrew Cogliano suffered a broken neck and will be out indefinitely following a controversial hit by Seattle Kraken star Jordan Eberle in Game 6 of their playoff matchup.
In the second period of Game 6 on Friday night, the Avalanche led 3-1 when Eberle appeared to tag Cogliano on the boards. Cogliano sank into the ice and then came back. Eberle was penalized for the tackle, but was not given a hearing for further disciplinary action.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Colorado Avalanche’s Andrew Cogliano is attended to by medical personnel against the Seattle Kraken during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 28, 2023 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Cogliano’s injury update was first reported by the Associated Press and Sportsnet.
«I don’t like the punch,» Colorado coach Jared Bednar said Sunday via The Athletic. «Since the age of 5, you’ve had stop signs on your back on every jersey. It’s numbers all the time. It doesn’t really relax. There’s more than one type of suspension shot. There’s the predatory shot where the guy goes after someone from [a] distance and hits him dirty. But there is also, in my opinion [from] watch and train the game… there are also bad decisions».
«Sometimes it’s a split second, sometimes it takes a little longer. Cale Makar for example. I don’t think he’s trying to run in [Jared] McCann, but the reality is that he made the decision to end it and there is no record there. So it’s a suspension. … I think this [Jordan Eberle] one is the same way. His back is turned. You might be thinking he’s going to spin so you can hit it clean, but he doesn’t spin. It’s a bad decision.»
JOHN TAVARES OVERTIME WINNER GIVES MAPLE LEAFS FIRST PLAYOFF SERIES WIN SINCE 2004
Colorado Avalanche center Andrew Cogliano (11) beats Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde (37) during the third period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first round playoff series on Monday April 24, 2023 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Avalanche fans were upset by the hit as Makar was suspended for Game 5 after his hit on Jared McCann.
Cogliano brings value and toughness to the Colorado roster. He was acquired by the Avalanche midway through the 2021-2022 season from the San Jose Sharks. And in his first full season in 2022-2023, he added 19 points in 79 games played.
Colorado will try to close out the series on Sunday against the Kraken.
Vince Dunn #29 of the Seattle Kraken checks up on Andrew Cogliano #11 of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 24, 2023 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Avalanche are the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Associated Press contributed to this report.