Story Summary
A contentious moment late in the second period of HC Olomouc‘s home game against HC Škoda Plzeň left Olomouc players and staff angered after Matyáš Filip caught Olomouc defenceman Petr Gewiese in the face with his elbow. The referees did not stop play and, after reviewing the incident on video during the interval, did not penalise Filip. Olomouc won 3:2 after overtime.
Journalists sought comment from Gewiese and both coaching staffs after the game, but Olomouc spokesman Tomáš Schmiedt said Gewiese would not appear because he had a split lip and was struggling to speak. When the coaches were asked about the incident, Schmiedt said criticism of the referees was not permitted. Olomouc assistant Petr Svoboda and Plzeň assistant Václav Pletka offered only limited responses. Filip, a 25-year-old Plzeň forward, apologised and described the contact as accidental.
Key Facts
- Match: HC Olomouc v HC Škoda Plzeň – Olomouc won 3:2 after overtime.
- The disputed incident occurred in the final minute of the second period when Matyáš Filip struck Petr Gewiese in the face with his elbow.
- Referees did not stop play at the time of the hit and reviewed the incident on video during the interval without imposing a penalty.
- Blood remained on the ice after the hit.
- Olomouc expected a five-minute penalty plus game misconduct. The officials could no longer issue a two-minute penalty after returning to the incident without having stopped play.
- Reporters asked to interview Gewiese after the game; HC Olomouc spokesman Tomáš Schmiedt said: ” Gewiese won’t come, he has a split lip, it’s hard for him to speak.”
- At the press conference Olomouc assistant Petr Svoboda initially relayed the referees’ explanation that there was motion and that Filip had tried to play the puck, comparing the contact to a missed shot whose follow-through hits a player.
- When further comment was requested, Schmiedt intervened and said criticising the referees was not permitted. Svoboda then said: “The referees explained it to us, we agree with their version and I will not comment further.”
- Plzeň assistant coach Václav Pletka also declined to elaborate, saying they only saw the play on video later and were waiting for the referees’ decision.
- Plzeň forward Matyáš Filip, 25, addressed journalists and apologised: ” I was playing the puck behind me and as I raised my arms I accidentally hit him in the face. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to. There was no intent. Unfortunately, it’s part of the game. Then I apologised to him.”
IHM Discussion
The episode combined a visible injury to an experienced Olomouc defenceman with frustration at an unpenalised hit. Journalists sought a direct reaction from Gewiese and both benches, but Schmiedt said Gewiese was unable to speak easily because of his split lip and intervened when the coaches were asked to assess the officials’ decision.
Svoboda relayed the explanation given to Olomouc: Filip had been moving to play the puck. After Schmiedt’s intervention, he said the club accepted the officials’ explanation and would not add more. Pletka said Plzeň had only seen the incident on video and were waiting for the officials’ decision. Filip’s own explanation was more direct: he said he accidentally struck Gewiese while playing the puck and later apologised.
Why It Matters
The incident raises practical questions about player safety and the limits of in-game officiating after play continues following a facial injury. Olomouc’s bench expected a major penalty, while the officials did not stop play and ultimately imposed no sanction.
The press conference also became part of the story. Schmiedt’s intervention restricted how far the coaches would go in discussing the decision, leaving Filip’s apology as the clearest direct account of the contact.
Mini Q&A
What happened to Petr Gewiese?
Matyáš Filip caught Petr Gewiese in the face with his elbow in the final minute of the second period. Blood remained on the ice, and Gewiese did not attend the post-match press conference because Olomouc said he had a split lip and was struggling to speak.
Why was Matyáš Filip not penalised more severely?
The referees did not stop play when the incident occurred and later reviewed it on video. Olomouc expected a five-minute penalty plus game misconduct, while the officials could no longer issue a two-minute penalty after returning to the incident without having stopped play.
How did HC Olomouc handle the press conference?
HC Olomouc spokesman Tomáš Schmiedt told journalists that Gewiese would not come because he had a split lip and could not speak easily, and he intervened when coaches were asked for opinions about the referees, saying criticism of officials was not permitted. After that intervention, Olomouc assistant Petr Svoboda said the club agreed with the referees’ explanation and would not comment further.
Did Matyáš Filip comment?
Yes. The 25-year-old forward said he was trying to play the puck behind him and accidentally hit Gewiese in the face as he raised his arms. He apologised and said there was no intent.
IHM Final View
Olomouc’s 3:2 overtime win over Plzeň was overshadowed by the hit on Gewiese and the handling of the aftermath. Filip apologised and said the contact was accidental, while the officials did not penalise the play after reviewing it during the interval. Schmiedt then stepped in at the press conference as journalists pressed both benches for their view of the decision.