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Denver, CO

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar sounds off on controversial goal after Scott Wedgewood injury: “The goal shouldn’t have counted”

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Avalanche coach Jared Bednar sounds off on controversial goal after Scott Wedgewood injury: “The goal shouldn’t have counted”


Jared Bednar knows his bank account is going to take a hit in the coming days and, in his words, he does not care.

Bednar went off after Colorado’s incredible 6-5 comeback win Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena. His ire was directed at a Buffalo goal that was allowed despite Avs goalie Scott Wedgewood writhing in pain inside his net as it was scored early in the third period.

Sabres forward Zach Benson was pushed into the Colorado net, and Wedgewood fell backward onto him. As Wedgewood was laying on the ice, Benson eventually got the puck and scored on a wraparound goal to give the Sabres a 4-2 lead.

“The referee said (the whistle) wasn’t blown because we put their guy into Scott,” Bednar said. “I said, ‘I don’t give a (expletive). He’s hurt. They’re standing there. He’s sitting there. He’s hurt. Blow this whistle.’

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“If the puck is in the net front still and they’re hacking away at it and it goes in, I’d say fine. But as soon as the puck squirts to the corner, they got to blow it dead. They do it all the time for regular players because of player safety. The rule would state that we have to touch it, but they never follow that rule.”

Bednar said he wasn’t specifically mad at officials TJ Luxmore and Corey Syvret, but the inconsistency of when the guys in stripes do or do not blow plays dead for injuries. He pointed out that this game was stopped when Mikko Rantanen and Rasmus Dahlin collided in the neutral zone and the Buffalo captain stayed down on the ice.

He also noted a play two games ago when Cale Makar was about to line up a shot, but an opposing player was on the ice in the slot so play was stopped.

“If he’s hurt and he’s not getting up and they’re standing there looking at it, the whistle should go. It’s just that simple,” Bednar said. “For them to just let it go and then allow the goal is insanity to me. It’s a player safety thing. If they would have loaded up (Rasmus) Dahlin for a one-timer, for a 105-mile an hour slap shot, they are just going to let it (expletive) happen with our goalie down in the net? Can’t do it. Got to blow it dead.”

Avs defenseman Devon Toews, who scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of overtime, also mentioned player safety as the main reason why the play should have been stopped before the goal was scored.

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There was a long delay after the goal while Wedgewood was attended to on the ice. He was not able to put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off to the dressing room. Bednar said Wedgewood needs to be evaluated, but he will miss some time.

When the officials were ready to resume play, Bednar challenged the play for goaltender interference … even though he knew it wasn’t.

“Yeah, it gives them another chance to do the right thing,” Bednar said when asked if that was done in protest. “The goal shouldn’t have counted. Yeah, I was mad so … we just did it.”

When asked if there was any recourse for the Avalanche after the fact, Bednar acknowledged that he will likely be fined by the NHL for his postgame rant.

“We’ll call the league,” Bednar said. “After this presser, I’m sure I’ll get a call from the league. I don’t care. That wasn’t a difficult call. Again, I’m not picking on the guys who were out there tonight. Any one of the four guys could be looking at it and just blow the whistle.

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“It’s not just that it went in. How long are you going to let it go? They talk about player safety, player safety. If they pass it to the slot and someone hammers a one-timer off his head, then what? … Just make the call. They blown it down on plays like that when guys go down like that in the neutral zone but then they’re not going to do it with your goalie? It makes no sense.”

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Denver, CO

Denver area events for Nov. 28

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Denver area events for Nov. 28


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability. Friday Street Fair and Artisan Market — 11 am.-6 p.m., The Shops at Northfield, 8340 Northfield Blvd., Denver; shopsatnorthfield.com/events. Stunt Dog Experience for the Holidays — […]



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Denver, CO

Three people injured in Denver in shooting on Broadway

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Three people injured in Denver in shooting on Broadway


The Denver Police Department is investigating after three people were injured in a shooting late Wednesday night.

According to DPD, officers were called to the scene in the 1100 block of N. Broadway around 10:30 p.m. When they arrived, the officers found two people who had been injured. Both were taken to the hospital for treatment, but officials did not know the extent of their injuries.

A third victim was later found with what authorities said were minor injuries. That person was not taken to the hospital.

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Investigators said they are working to develop suspect information.



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Denver, CO

Pueblo man sentenced to 15 years for threatening Denver judge

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Pueblo man sentenced to 15 years for threatening Denver judge


A Pueblo man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Wednesday for threatening a Denver judge who was overseeing several of the man’s criminal cases.

Thomas Wornick, 43, was convicted of three counts of retaliation against a judge, a class 4 felony. He was already serving a deferred sentence for threatening former Sen. Cory Gardner when he was charged with the new offenses, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Thomas Wornick

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18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office


“When someone attempts to intimidate or harm those who serve the public, we will respond with every tool the law provides,” Deputy District Attorney Joseph Henriksen said in a statement on Wednesday. “This sentence makes clear that violent threats, no matter who makes them, will be met with serious consequences.”

Judge Judith Labuda told the Denver Police Department last year that Wornick, a combat veteran, sent him nine emails between March 5 and March 15, 2024. 

“On March 15, 2024, Mr. Wornick sent three emails to the (judicial) division, threatening to murder or kill me,” Labuda told investigators at the time. “His emails left me feeling unsettled, and in fear.”

Since Labuda is a judge in Denver, the case was handled by a special prosecutor from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

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In 2020, Wornick was arrested at Fort Carson, the U.S. Army installation in Colorado Springs, after the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said he had threatened to kill several local attorneys, business owners, government officials, and “every Pueblo County Sheriff’s deputy.” The sheriff’s office said deputies served a search warrant on his Pueblo home at the time and found two guns, including a semi-automatic rifle, several knives, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

When Wornick threatened Gardner, the Republican U.S. senator who represented Colorado from 2015 to 2021, he detailed his combat service in an email to the senator, writing, “In 2003 I deployed to Iraq, I was blown up by an ied in my hmmwv and blown up again by a rocket weeks later. I suffer everyday of my life. I am going to kill senator cory gardner for refusing to help me get medical care,” the Pueblo Chieftan reported.

“No public servant should ever fear for their life simply for doing their job,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley said. “Mr. Wornick’s pattern of escalating threats demanded a strong, decisive response. Our office is committed to ensuring that intimidation has no place in our courts, and to protecting those involved in upholding the rule of law.”



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