Kraken win, lose McCann after ‘late hit’ by Makar
SEATTLE — The Kraken lost leading scorer Jared McCann to an injury in the first period of Monday’s 3-2 overtime victory against the Avalanche following what was characterized by Seattle coach Dave Hakstol as a “late hit” from Colorado defenseman Cale Makar.
After the game — which saw the Kraken tie their first-round series with the defending champions at two games apiece — Hakstol told reporters McCann won’t be available for Wednesday’s Game 5 in Denver and that “my assumption is probably longer than that.”
The Avalanche were on the power play when a miscue forced a turnover that saw McCann gain possession and head the other direction on a breakaway. McCann’s shot was stopped by Avs goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, bounced off the goalie and appeared to go into the netting behind the goal.
As the puck was in the air, Makar and McCann were skating toward the corner to try to gain possession. McCann appeared to have slowed down while going into the corner and did not seem ready for the hit by Makar.
McCann initially landed on his back before rolling over on his stomach. He tried to get up but remained on the ice while he was attended to by a member of the Kraken’s training staff. He headed to the locker room and did not return to the game.
At first, Makar was assessed a five-minute major penalty, but it was reduced to a two-minute minor for interference upon further review. The Kraken went on the power play, and Daniel Sprong scored to give Seattle a 2-0 lead. Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen then scored two second-period goals that would eventually send the game to overtime, before Jordan Eberle netted the first winning overtime goal in Climate Pledge Arena history.
“It’s unfortunate. I never want to injure guys,” Makar said. “Hopefully he’s all right. At the end of the day … I didn’t feel like I tried to finish him that hard. But, I mean, I feel like if I was in that scenario, they would have done the exact same thing. I’m not trying to hurt anybody. It’s just unfortunate, tough bounce there. They got the call right, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Makar said he didn’t know if the puck was in or out of play. He said he knew McCann got the shot off and that he was going to the corner because the puck was coming down.
After Makar served the penalty, he was excessively booed for the remainder of the game any time he had possession or was even near the puck.
Makar, the reigning Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Award winner, was asked if he had ever been booed like that before.
“No, actually, it’s pretty funny. I had a dream last night I was getting booed,” Makar said. “It’s playoff hockey. That’s the atmosphere you want. I mean .. you got to be a big boy and just take it. Like I said, unfortunate circumstances and I hope he’s all right.”
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said he had not looked at the play again prior to his postgame news conference. Bednar said he was not concerned about any supplemental discipline for Makar because the penalty went from a five-minute major to a two-minute minor.
Hakstol said what he saw live and on review was “a late hit” in which the puck was out of play and went into the netting.
“I believe the puck is being caught by a fan as Canner is being run into the end wall,” Hakstol said. “Late hit. Really late. No puck in play. Like I said, our 40-goal scorer was not available for the rest of the game and not going to be available going forward here.”
Hakstol said the explanation he was given by the officials as to why Makar’s penalty was downgraded to a minor was that there was a puck in play at the battle, which is why they penalized Makar for interference.
“I disagree with that obviously,” Hakstol said. “As I assessed it and looked at it live and … looking at it after on video, I … disagree with that assessment, whether that’s by the refs or by Toronto. That’s not an accurate description of the play.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Andrea Adelson
Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was released from the hospital Thursday, nearly six weeks after he was shot in the back of the head while driving his aunt home.
In a statement, Florida State said Pritchard is alert, responsive and able to communicate. He is being moved from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital to Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville for the next stage in his recovery.
On a video posted to Instagram Stories by quarterback Tommy Castellanos, the entire FSU team cheered Pritchard as he was wheeled on a stretcher out of the hospital for the trip to Jacksonville.
“We are thankful for the efforts, thoughts and prayers of so many people and ask that you continue to support Ethan and his family as this process continues,” the school said in a statement.
Pritchard was shot Aug. 31 in what the authorities have described as a case of mistaken identity. He was dropping his aunt and a child off following a family party in Havana, Florida, about 16 miles from Tallahassee, near the Georgia state line.
Four people were arrested last month in connection with the shooting.
“I am so thankful for everyone who has prayed for my son,” said Earl Pritchard, Ethan’s father. “There have been a lot of ups and downs over these last 39 days, and it is remarkable that Ethan and I were able to leave the hospital together today.”
Earl Pritchard also thanked Florida State coach Mike Norvell for checking in every day and being a constant presence in the hospital.
“His players and staff have continued to make us feel part of the team,” Earl Pritchard said. “I can’t fully express how much those moments have meant to me and Ethan.”
Earl Pritchard also thanked the hospital and Florida State sports medicine staffs as well as the staff at Seminole High in Sanford, Florida, where Ethan played, for the support.
“I also want to thank Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young and the FDLE for their hard work and dedication to pursuing justice for Ethan,” Earl Pritchard said. “My heart is filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support for so many people, and I’m so appreciative for every single one of you.
“Ethan has a long journey ahead of him, but I know he will continue to fight and he will do so with the full support of our FSU and Seminole County families and all who have been impacted by his story.”
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Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers removed high-earning reliever Tanner Scott from their National League Division Series roster on Thursday and replaced him with fellow left-hander Justin Wrobleski, a move that makes Scott ineligible for the next round.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed after Wednesday’s 8-2 loss in Game 3 that Scott was unavailable, a big reason why Clayton Kershaw was forced to come back out for what became a five-run eighth inning by the Philadelphia Phillies. Scott underwent what Roberts described as a lower-body abscess incision on Wednesday night.
“Minor procedure,” Roberts said before Thursday’s Game 4. “I don’t know a whole lot about it, to be quite honest with you, but I do know that he’s recovering well.”
The Dodgers signed Scott to a four-year, $72 million contract over the offseason, but his first year in L.A. has been a massive struggle. Scott, 31, posted a 4.74 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP while allowing 11 home runs in 2025, the same amount he allowed over the previous three years combined. By the time the postseason rolled around, Scott had fallen out of favor. Roberts did not utilize him in any of the first four playoff games.
Scott started to show signs of an issue during Tuesday’s workout in L.A., Roberts said, though he added: “I don’t think we knew exactly the extent of it.” He described Scott’s procedure on Wednesday as “an “urgent matter.” The hope is Scott can still contribute, in some way, to the Dodgers’ playoff run.
“I still feel that the World Series, if we’re fortunate enough to get there, earn our way there, then he’ll be available,” Roberts added.
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