Hockey Coach Struck by Broken Stick During Playoff Game

A co-trainer for the Norwegian ice hockey club Frisk Asker was injured by a broken stick during a playoff game against Valerenga on Friday evening. Michael Smithurst, 55, was struck in the forehead by a fragment of a shattered stick wielded by Valerenga forward Mathis Olimb, 40, near the end of the first period.

The incident occurred following a goal by Tobias Fladeby, putting Frisk Asker ahead 1-0. Olimb’s stick broke during play, and he discarded the broken pieces. Smithurst was subsequently hit by a portion of the fractured stick, resulting in a head wound and bleeding, according to reports.

Olimb, who previously played in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) for the Augsburger Panther and Grizzlys Wolfsburg, explained his actions to TV2, stating, “I break the stick, and you acquire a penalty if you hold onto it. I have no idea where everyone else is. I just didn’t want a penalty, but it’s a shame it hit him in the head.” He added that simply dropping the broken stick would have avoided any potential penalty, as holding a broken stick incurs a penalty, but injuring an opponent with it can lead to further sanctions.

Smithurst described the impact as “a proper bang” and characterized the incident as “completely unnecessary,” adding, “You shouldn’t do something like that. I assume he will be punished.”

Frisk Asker won the game 4-1, securing their sixth consecutive victory in the playoffs. The team has won the Norwegian national championship four times previously, in 1975, 1979, 2002, and 2019.

The second game of the playoff series is scheduled for Sunday, with further matches planned for March 24th and 26th.