DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado Avalanche forward Andrew Cogliano fractured his neck in Game 6 Friday night in Seattle, the Associated Press said Saturday.
Cogliano suffered a C5 lamina fracture when he was knocked into the boards from behind in the second period by Kraken forward Jordan Eberle in Game 6. Cogliano returned for the third period following an examination but reported that his neck wasn’t feeling great after the reigning Stanley Cup champions returned home from Seattle.
Eberle was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding and no hearing for supplemental discipline has been announced.
A CT scan revealed the fracture. Cogliano was scheduled for a follow-up MRI later Sunday. His injury may involve rehab or “whatever he has to do in order to get himself healthy again,” Bednar said.
Cogliano is a workhorse for the Avalanche and his absence is significant after the team won at Climate Pledge Arena to force a Game 7.
“He’s (Cogliano) as tough as they come. I mean he’s not a big guy, been playing a long time, great leadership,” head coach Jared Bednar said after the game. “I hate seeing either guys on either team go in like that because I don’t like seeing players get hurt on either team. It’s a competitive game, a lot of physicality.”
Bednar said he didn’t see the hit and couldn’t comment on whether he thought the punishment should have been a five-minute major or the minor Eberle was assessed.
The Avalanche will now be without Darren Helm, Josh Manson, Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin, in addition to Cogliano’s injury.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.