Jared Bednar Says Controversial Tripping Call ‘Stung’ Avalanche in Game 5 Loss

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Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar lamented a controversial tripping call on star defenseman Cale Makar that led to a Tampa Bay Lightning power-play goal in the Bolts’ 3-2 win in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday.

According to ESPN’s Kristen Shilton, Bednar questioned the validity of the call, saying:

“I didn’t love that call, just because I don’t think there was any intent there. I don’t even think he was checking that guy [Ondrej Palat]. Looked to me like he kind of tripped over his stick. It’s a tough one. They got their only power play goal on that one. So that hurt, stung a little bit. But it is what it is. You gotta roll with the punches.”

The penalty led to a 4-on-3 power play for Tampa during the second period, and it cashed in with a goal by Nikita Kucherov to go up 2-1.

Colorado tied it early in the third period on a Makar goal, but Palat later scored the game-winner for the Lightning with less than seven minutes left.

With the win, Tampa shrunk the series deficit to 3-2, and the series is now set to go back to Florida for Game 6 on Sunday.

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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