SPORTS

Pane shatters behind Kings bench during playoff game

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DENVER — During the second period on Tuesday, a pane of glass behind the Los Angeles Kings' bench shattered after fans pounded it following Scott Wedgewood's penalty-shot save on Quinton Byfield; broken glass fell onto interim coach D.J. Smith, who briefly left the bench while arena staff cleared fragments and installed a replacement pane. Arena workers cleared debris during a roughly 17–19 minute delay, after which play resumed and Nicolas Roy scored 7:44 into overtime to give Colorado a 2-1 win, moving the Avalanche ahead 2-0 in the first-round series; Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles and both teams returned to competitive play.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Tuesday evening: Scott Wedgewood stops Quinton Byfield on a penalty shot, fans celebrate.
Immediately after the save: Fans pound the glass behind the Kings bench; a pane breaks.
Moments later: Shards fall on coach D.J. Smith; players vacate the bench area.
For about 17–19 minutes: Arena crew clears glass, installs a new pane, and the delay ends.
Overtime: Nicolas Roy scores at 7:44; Avalanche wins 2-1 and takes a 2-0 series lead; Game 3 set for Thursday.

Why This Matters to You

This incident highlights the importance of safety at sporting events. While fan enthusiasm is part of the game, it's crucial to remember that actions can have unintended consequences. Next time you're at a game, consider the potential impact of your actions on the players and staff.

The Bottom Line

The Kings-Avalanche series is heating up, with Colorado taking a 2-0 lead. Despite the unexpected delay, both teams showed resilience and returned to competitive play. Game 3 is set for Thursday. Worth forwarding if you know a Kings or Avalanche fan.