In a dramatic incident during the NHL playoff match between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche at Denver’s Ball Arena, Kings head coach D.J. Smith found himself in a precarious situation when a section of glass behind the away team’s bench shattered. The excitement of fans cheering loudly caused the glass pane to give way, showering Smith and the bench with broken shards as players quickly evacuated to safety.
The incident occurred in the second period, contributing to a 19-minute delay as arena staff worked feverishly to clear the debris and replace the shattered glass. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog commented on the unusual event, noting that while players have seen glass break from slapshots or hard hits, he had never witnessed it happen this way. The fans’ fervour escalated, particularly after a breathtaking save by Kings goaltender Scott Wedgewood, leading them to bang on the barrier, resulting in the unexpected mishap.
Once the glass was replaced, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the Kings players, having initially stepped away from the bench, returned alongside their coaching staff to continue the game. Ultimately, despite the disruption, neither team scored during the match, but the incident remained a notable highlight of the evening, drawing attention for its unexpected nature.