Bulldogs’ Matthew Hlacar suspended for eight games

TORONTO – The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) today announced that Brantford Bulldogs player Matthew Hlacar has been suspended for eight games as a result of actions in a regular season game on Friday, September 25 against Peterborough. Following an on-ice review, Hlacar was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for high-sticking. Per league policy, all plays that are reviewed by officials in-game on the tablet are eligible for a review for possible supplemental discipline.

The OHL Department of Player Safety has ruled that Hlacar will be assessed an eight-game suspension based off the following rationale:

• This was inappropriate use of the stick and a dangerous action toward an opponent
• The Brantford player attempts to deliver contact with his stick in a poor position, it is high off of the ice and he allows his body momentum to bring the stick high to the area of his opponent’s head
• Contact is made with his stick to the neck area of an opponent, this action could have led to a serious injury
• Relevant and recent disciplinary history of this particular player was a major factor in this overall assessment and result

Matthew Hlacar has already served two games of his eight-game suspension, and will be eligible to return to the lineup on Sunday, October 18 when the Bulldogs host the Soo Greyhounds.