Bernier Returns To Practice

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--After spending the majority of the weekend in the hospital with an infection from a cut on his hand, Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier returned as a full participant in practice on Thursday.
Bernier missed Colorado's home-and-home set with the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and Monday and was able to join the Avs, without a stick, for their morning skate on Wednesday before the contest against the Philadelphia Flyers.

"I caught a puck… and I had a little cut that was open and it just got infected two days later," Bernier said. "Spent the weekend in the hospital and that's unfortunate, but at least I didn't need any surgery. Feels better now and hopefully I will be back tomorrow."
The Laval, Quebec, native suffered a head injury on Feb. 16 at the Winnipeg Jets and missed 10 games before he returned on March 10 against the Arizona Coyotes. He was unable to finish that contest as he took a shot off the mask and was out for the Avs' next five outings.

"It's not worse than having a concussion, so you kind of feel like you starting from square one," said Bernier. "You just got to put in the work every day and just do more than usual to get back into shape. Obviously at this point in the season I haven't played much hockey and it's been tough mentally and physically, but it's going to be good if I can come back tomorrow."
Bernier has played in 32 contests for Colorado this season and owns an 18-11-2 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.
He could return as the starter or as a backup when the Avalanche hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Colorado has five games remaining in the regular season and is one point out of a playoff position in the Western Conference.
"At this point in the year, every game is a must win and we just got to go day-by-day," said Bernier. "Obviously, we didn't get the result we wanted last game but we just got to move on. Tomorrow is another big game, but they are just getting bigger and bigger."
Fellow netminder Semyon Varlamov played in each of Colorado's games from Feb. 14 to March 26 while Bernier was out, but the Samara, Russia, native was sick on Wednesday and missed the Avs' contest against the Flyers. Varlamov worked with goaltending coach Jussi Parkkila before Thursday's practice at Family Sports Center and left the ice as the session was starting.
"It's nice [having Varlamov and Bernier ready to play]. I can't remember the last time we had them both available," said head coach Jared Bednar. "Berns has been out for quite some time here and Vary just missed the last couple games, but hopefully we have them both for the final five games."
Bednar has yet to make a decision on who will be between the pipes for the Avalanche against Chicago.
"I just want to make sure that both of those guys still feel good [tomorrow morning] with what they are going through, and then we will decide," said Bednar.
After practice, the Avalanche announced that Spencer Martin was reassigned to the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League. So if Varlamov or Bernier is not cleared to play, Andrew Hammond will be the backup netminder.

PRACTICE NOTES

Rookie forward J.T. Compher and veteran defenseman Erik Johnson did not participate in the session, as they both used the day for maintenance while recovering from the Avs' contest against Philadelphia.
"[Compher] blocked a shot early in the game, I think it was the first period," said Bednar. "He took it off a toe, so he is just a little bit sore so we gave him the day. Same thing with E.J., banged his knee in the boards, so he is a little sore today too."
Sven Andrighetto practiced after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury and could return against the Blackhawks. He was a line with rookies Tyson Jost and Alex Kerfoot during the session.
Defenseman Mark Barberio skated on his own for the second straight day in a red, non-contact jersey. He has been out of the lineup since Jan. 25 and has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 44 contests this campaign.