Steelers’ Sarich sidelined after kidney operation

The 30-year-old, now in his seventh season with the Steelers, took a hit under the ribs during the Elite League clash which caused bleeding to his kidney.

As a result, the Canadian underwent further tests and then an operation at Royal Hallamshire Hospital yesterday.

Steelers’ club doctor Geoff Butcher said Sarich had lost 10 to 15 per cent of his kidney as a result of the operation.

“Rod won’t be in a position to play ice hockey for a three-month period in my opinion,” said Butcher. “We believe that the bleeding has now stopped though it will be a little while until we can confirm whether this is the case 100 per cent.

“Roddy has lost between 10 and 15% of his kidney during this process.”

Sarich left the ice ahead of his team-mates on Sunday night, his last act being to lay on the pass for fellow defenceman Mark Thomas to slot home an overtime winner to give the Steelers their first win in four attempts over their bitter rivals.

He headed straight for the club’s medical staff and was taken to hospital for tests and kept in overnight.

News of Sarich’s freak injury is a further blow to player-coach Ryan Finnerty as he prepares his team for next weekend’s Continental Cup trip.

He has been without captain Jonathan Phillips for most of the season so far due to a knee injury, while import forward Mike Ramsay has been out for more than a month after suffering a hand injury.

“While it’s bad news for us our first thoughts are with Roddy,” said Finnerty. “Our wishes are for him to get back to full health as soon as possible.”

The Steelers will play in Group D of the Continental Cup due to them being the reigning Elite League champions.

They leave for Denmark on Thursday and face games against Italy’s HC Asiago, hosts Herning Blue Fox and Hungary’s Dunaujvarosi Acelbikak. The winners progress to the Super Finals which will be played in Rouen, France, from January 13-15.

The last time the Steelers took part in the tournament was two years ago when, under then coach Dave Matsos, they made it through to the Super Finals in Grenoble, where they eventually finished third.