OHL suspends London Knights forward Max Jones for 12 games for blindside hit

TORONTO – London Knights forward Max Jones was given a 12-game suspension by the Ontario Hockey League on Friday for a blindside hit on Owen Sound Attack forward Justin Brack in a playoff game this week.

Brack was looking down at the puck when Jones delivered a punishing check to the upper body on Wednesday night. The visiting Knights won the game 8-5 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final.

The league felt supplemental discipline was necessary since Brack was in a vulnerable position, he was injured on the play and there was contact with the head. Game 5 is scheduled for Friday night at Budweiser Gardens.

The OHL also issued a two-game suspension to Kitchener forward Jake Henderson for making unnecessary contact to the head area of an opponent in a game against the Windsor Spitfires on Wednesday.

The Rangers take a 3-1 series lead into Game 5 on Friday night at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.