Glass Shatters Behind Kings Bench in Game 3

In Denver, Los Angeles Kings interim coach D.J. Smith narrowly avoided injury when a pane of glass behind the team's bench shattered and rained fragments onto him during the second period of Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred with 16:48 remaining in the period, moments after Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood denied Kings forward Quinton Byfield on a penalty shot. The score was tied 0-0 at the time. Excited fans in the stands began pounding on the glass separating them from the bench area, causing the pane to sway before it gave way. Smith ducked instinctively as the shards fell, then covered his head and brushed pieces from his suit. He briefly left for the locker room tunnel before returning to the bench a few minutes later, appearing unharmed.

Play halted immediately, with Kings players gathering on the ice while the Avalanche's arena crew responded. Workers used shovels and buckets to clear the debris from the bench, and a new pane was transported in and installed to restore the barrier. The stoppage lasted more than 15 minutes, delaying the first-round Stanley Cup playoff matchup.

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog described the...