Yes. Yes. Martin Kaut scored his first NHL goal and the Colorado Avalanche have now won four straight games to stay in the fight for their bid to claim the Central Division and the Western Conference crowns.
That’s great and all, but the real story from the Avalanche’s 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres was … Jared Bednar’s suit jacket?
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¿Qué dices?
Being the first game of a nationally televised Wednesday Night Hockey broadcast means there are more people watching the Avalanche than normal. So imagine everyone’s surprise whenever those around the hockey world tuned in to see what Bednar was wearing. He was sporting a camouflage blazer that appeared to be better suited for duck hunting than an NHL game in which thousands in attendance and millions throughout North America are questioning your fashion choices.
“I went in for the pregame meetings, the (penalty-kill) meeting and (power-play) meeting, and it was hanging up there,” veteran Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole said of the blazer. “I saw it right away and was like, ‘Wow. That’s a jacket.’ He must have lost a bet or something. You have to ask him.”
Anyone who has followed the Avalanche over the past four years has come to expect a certain visage of Bednar. The 47-year-old has gained a reputation for his sharp eye for different suit-and-tie combinations. He usually prefers darker colors over something more vibrant. But there is always a theme with what he is wearing, down to his choice of leather belt, wristwatch and shoes.
So, what was the deal with this? Granted, he did wear a white shirt with a green tie and what appeared to be a burgundy pattern to go along with the jacket.
The answer? It was the team’s military appreciation night. Every year, the Avalanche have made a point to go all out for what is considered one of the most important home games on the calendar from a presentation standpoint. It began with warmups, when each player came out in a military-themed sweater. This year’s choice was a dark green pattern — to the point the Avs’ logo was the same color. The left jersey number was filled with a blue background and white stars, while the right-sided number featured a red-and-white striped pattern as a nod to the American flag.
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Leila Morrison, a 96-year-old World War II front-line nurse, was honored before the game and received a standing ovation for what she did during the war. She was invited to do the ceremony puck drop. Per usual, the entire evening had a heavy military presence. Every in-arena game, for example — such as the UCHealth Challenge — featured those on active duty while also paying homage to those who served years ago.
“(Military appreciation night) was exactly the thought behind it. That’s the only camo blazer that I have,” Bednar said. “It’s actually a friend of mine. His friend started a company called Perfect Pattern and sent it to me and asked if I’d wear it for military night and I said, ‘Absolutely.'”
As he normally does, Bednar provided a well-reasoned explanation for why he wore the jacket and the meaning behind his decision.
But that still does not mean his players, among others, did not have, uh, a few comments regarding what they were seeing.
“I thought he was ready to head straight to the duck blind after that,” Cole quipped with a big grin.
Cole said there were a few players on the Avalanche bench who were asking, “What is THAT?” upon seeing Bednar’s blazer for the first time. Even a few of the referees asked Cole about Bednar’s outfit.
So, what did some of the other players on the team think about the blazer?
Let’s say it went one of two ways. There was J.T. Compher, who offered a succinct viewpoint of his coach’s jacket.
“Um,” Compher said. “He went for it with that one. That’s all I can really say about it.”
And then there was the opinion of one Nikita Zadorov. The Russian defenseman is known for being one of the more adventurous fashionistas on the team. Consider what he wore walking into Pepsi Center, for example: a double-breasted dark-colored suit with a white grid pattern, a white dress shirt, a black tie with white polka dots, and shiny black shoes to match.
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Zadorov has had days at the Avalanche’s practice facility when he will take chances even while casual. Sometimes he dons his trademark shiny black, puffy winter jacket featuring heavy parka fur on the hood. It has prompted teammates to make jokes about Zadorov making a quick trip to Siberia or inquire whether he plans to lead an arctic expedition before going home.
He usually takes these comments in stride and is known for reminding his teammates they are simply jealous.
“Well, not to be too hard on him,” Zadorov said before laughing, “but I heard the boys in the room say, ‘It’s Military Night. Not Hunting Games Night.'”
Oh, it gets even better.
Zadorov was asked what his initial reaction was the first time he saw Bednar wearing such a different-looking choice of attire.
“I couldn’t see him,” Zadorov said. “Because he was all covered in the bushes.”
Now, that said, the 24-year-old former Sabres first-round pick could give credit where credit was due.
“I’ll give him respect,” Zadorov said. “It’s ballsy, for sure. Why not? I’m one of the guys who likes to pull out crazy stuff. If he feels comfortable in that, go ahead. I know some guys laugh at my stuff sometimes, and we laughed at his.”
So would Zadorov ever wear that?
“Uh, no,” he said.
Bednar entered his postgame news conference sans jacket, in just his dress shirt, tie and slacks. That is typically how he addresses the media, but nearly every reporter in the room made some comment about why he wasn’t wearing the blazer. Even Rachel Richlinski, the team’s in-arena reporter, snuck in a line about Bednar going to the hunting stand now or later.
All the reactions made Bednar laugh and even joke, “I can only handle so much flash and dash.”
Two or three seconds passed before Bednar was asked about the jacket, why he wore it and the reactions he must have drawn from such a daring fashion choice.
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“I’m sure Z absolutely loved it,” Bednar said.
Oh, he said he did.
“Yeah, OK, good, good. I was wondering,” Bednar said. “They didn’t say much to me, but I saw a couple guys on the bench giving me a look because normally I don’t dress like that. I thought for tonight, it was my way of showing appreciation for the military.”
(Photo: David Zalubowski / AP)
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