Allicock, Staal handed 5-game suspensions

The Sudbury Wolves will be down two players for game four of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) playoffs.

The league has suspended Wolves' forwards Jared Staal and Kain Allicock for five games each, following two separate incidents, which occurred in game three against the Barrie Colts, in Barrie on March 21. Barrie won the game 6-2.

In a press release from the OHL, Staal's action was described as “bullying,” stemming from an incident with Colt's player Alexander Burmistrov midway through the third period.

Allicock's suspension, also referred to by the OHL as “bullying actions,” came after instigating a fight with Colt's captain Stefan Della Rovere during a face-off in the second period.(Watch the fight.)

The Colts also lost a player in game three. The OHL handed down a 12-game suspension to Zac Rinaldo, after he levelled Marcus Foligno with a hit behind the net, which sent the Wolves' forward's helmet flying and left him laying on the ice. (Check out the hit.)

“In reviewing the incident, it is the position of the League that a player must at all times respect his opponent, especially when the opposition player is in a vulnerable position on the ice,” the OHL stated in the press release.

The game was a rough one, with Sudbury logging 33 minutes in penalties, while Barrie served 22 minutes. Game four is scheduled for March 24 at the Sudbury Arena. Game time is 7:35 p.m.