London goalie Stolarz banned 8 games for high stick in wild game against Windsor

TORONTO – London Knights goaltender Anthony Stolarz was handed an eight-game suspension by the Ontario Hockey League on Wednesday for hitting Windsor forward Josh Ho-Sang in the back of the head with his stick.

The incident occurred in the first period of London’s 10-2 playoff win over Windsor on Tuesday. After a whistle, Stolarz left the crease and whacked the unsuspecting Ho-Sang from behind. He was given a two-minute minor for high sticking on play, a surprisingly lenient penalty.

“I apologize for my actions on Tuesday night. It’s an unfortunate situation and in no way did I intend to injure my opponent, Joshua Ho-Sang,” Stolarz said Wednesday in a statement after the OHL’s decision.

Ho-Sang remained in the game and scored a goal in the third period.

Stolarz won’t be available for the Knights until at least the OHL Western Conference final, should London make it that far.

London has a 3-0 lead in the first-round series with the Spitfires. Game 4 is at Windsor’s WFCU Centre.

Stolarz’s high stick Tuesday night was part of a wild contest that saw Windsor goaltender Dalen Kuchmey pull himself out of the game, get changed and drive from the arena after surrendering eight goals on 26 shots.