Bracknell Bees have decided to close the seating area behind the goals at The Hive after a six-year-old fan was injured by a flying puck.
The incident occurred during Saturday’s 5-1 win over Invicta Dynamos and the club have moved swiftly to try and prevent any similar occurrence when Bees take on Swindon Wildcats on Sunday.
A club statement said: “Due to a safety concern and in the interests of our spectators, the upstairs seating areas behind the goals through to the “red icing line” will be closed whilst hockey is being played.”
This includes the whole of blocks 1 and 5 and parts of blocks 2, 4, 6 and 8.
It continued: “These areas may only be used as a thoroughfare whilst play is halted and no seating in the area can be used.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this and we hope to restore these seating areas as soon as possible.
“This necessary action has been taken with full support of the Directors of the Bracknell Bees and will remain in effect until further notice.”
Season ticket holders in those areas are being forced to relocate and must call the Bracknell Ice Rink on 01344 789000 before 4pm on Sunday to arrange an alternative seat.
Father of injured Poppy, Matt Shea, provided an update earlier this week.
He said: “The injury to her forehead was very bad but fortunately the hospital managed to glue it rather than stitch it so hopefully the long-term scarring should be reduced.
“She is home from hospital and in fairly good spirits. We would like thank the team medics, Jock (Hutchison) and Erin for amazing care and initial treatment.”
