Nate Smith loses $50,000 ice hockey trick shot prize

An 11-year-old boy has been denied a $50,000 prize for scoring an incredible ice hockey shot, after admitting his identical twin bought the entry ticket.



Nate Smith swept a puck into a tiny hole in the ice, from 89ft (27m) away.



But the firm that insured the game in Minneapolis, Minnesota, now says breaches of contract and "legal implications" mean it cannot pay out.



Instead, a $20,000 (£12,350) donation to youth hockey in the state will be made in the boys' names, it said.

Honesty praised



The twin boys' father, Pat Smith, told the event organisers the following day that his sons had swapped places, because he could tell "they weren't feeling right about it".



Originally, Mr Smith said he was going to write Nate's name on the raffle ticket but he felt "honesty was the best policy".



Nick, the brother whose name was on the ticket, had gone outside with his friends when Mr Smith told his other son, Nate, to have a go at the trick shot.



Nate and Nick Smith play for the Owatonna Youth Hockey Association. The organisation will benefit from the $20,000 donation by Odds on Promotions.



"We greatly respect the eventual honesty of the Smith family," Mark Gilmartin, president of Odds On Promotions, said.



Mr Smith said the boys were disappointed not to receive the prize money but excited that youth hockey would benefit.



"They understand," he said.