Colorado Avalanche forward Andrew Cogliano suffered a fractured neck from a dangerous hit from behind by Jordan Eberle of the Seattle Kraken on Friday. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the news of the frightening injury, noting that Cogliano is out indefinitely.
The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando reports that Cogliano suffered a fractured C5 Lamina.
The incident occurred late in the second period during the Avalanche’s eventual 4-1 win in Game 6, with Eberle only receiving a minor penalty for boarding on the play. Somehow, Cogliano logged more ice time in the third period following that hit (four minutes) than he had in any other period in Game 6.
Jared Bednar, the Avalanche’s head coach, was perplexed that Eberle seemed to have evaded a suspension or fine.
“I don’t know,” Bednar responded, according to Bennett Durando. “I can’t figure it out anymore, so I don’t even try.”
Such emotions are sure to be heightened as a result of Cale Makar’s one-game ban for his hit on Jared McCann earlier in the series.
The Avalanche must make lineup decisions for Game 7 against the Kraken.
Surprisingly, the Avs appeared to expect Cogliano to play in Game 7 before the extent of his injury was known.
Cogliano joins a growing list of injured and/or unavailable Avalanche players. Gabriel Landeskog has been sidelined with knee injuries and is not likely to return during the playoffs. Valeri Nichushkin has been absent from the team.
