Full Breakdown
Glass Shatters Behind Kings Bench During Stanley Cup Playoff Game
4/23/2026, 8:50:26 PM
Incident Overview: Glass Shattering at Ball Arena
During Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 22, 2026, Los Angeles Kings interim coach D.J. Smith experienced a near-disaster when a pane of glass shattered behind the bench at Ball Arena in Denver. The incident occurred after Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood made a crucial save on a penalty shot by Kings forward Quinton Byfield, with 16:48 remaining in the second period. Excited Avalanche fans were banging on the glass in celebration when it ultimately gave way, showering Smith with shards.
Immediate Aftermath and Game Delay
The glass shattering led to a significant delay in the game, lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes as arena staff worked to clean up the debris and install a new pane. Smith, who covered his head and brushed off the glass from his suit, briefly left the bench to ensure his safety but returned shortly after. The game resumed with the score still tied at 0-0, but the Avalanche eventually won 2-1 in overtime, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Reactions from Key Figures
Smith described the moment, stating, "Whoever the guy [was] just kept pushing and pushing and pushing. I looked back because it hit me a bunch of times, then it broke." Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog noted the unusual nature of the incident, saying, "It was loud there when 'Wedgy' made that save, and fans got a little too excited." He acknowledged that while such occurrences are typically due to pucks or hits, this was a unique situation. Colorado head coach Jared Bednar remarked, "That's a different one...stuff happens. Fans get excited."
Impact on the Game and Series
The incident not only disrupted the flow of the game but also highlighted the intensity of playoff hockey, as both teams were engaged in a fiercely competitive match. The Avalanche's victory solidified their lead in the series, with Game 3 scheduled for Thursday night in Los Angeles. The Kings will need to regroup and address the challenges posed by both their opponents and the unpredictable nature of playoff environments.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While most reports agree on the sequence of events leading to the glass shattering, there are slight discrepancies regarding the exact duration of the delay, with some sources citing 15 minutes and others noting up to 19 minutes. Additionally, the nature of the glass—whether it was tempered glass or Plexiglass—was not consistently specified across sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I looked back because it hit me a bunch of times, then it broke.” — D.J. Smith, Interim Coach, Los Angeles Kings
- “It was loud there when 'Wedgy' made that save, and fans got a little too excited,” — Gabriel Landeskog, Captain, Colorado Avalanche
- “That's a different one, but stuff happens. Fans get excited.” — Jared Bednar, Head Coach, Colorado Avalanche
