Barrie Colts captain Brandt Clarke has been suspended one game after kneeing a Hamilton Bulldogs player in Game 3 of their first-round Ontario Hockey League playoff series on Sunday night.
The incident happened late in the second period when Clarke stuck out his leg while checking Bulldogs forward Lawson Sherk at the Hamilton blue-line. Clarke was handed a five-minute major and was ejected from the game.
Clarke, 20, will miss Game 4 on Tuesday night in Hamilton and is eligible to return to action for Game 5 on Thursday night at Sadlon Arena when the first-round series shifts back to Barrie. The Colts lead the best-of-seven series, 2-1.
The Los Angeles Kings prospect, who was drafted eighth overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, is the leading scorer in the OHL playoffs, with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in just two and a half games prior to his ejection in Game 3.
A native of Orleans, Ont,. Clarke played in nine games with the Kings earlier this season, picking up two assists. He also played in five games with their American Hockey League affiliate, where he had one goal and an assist.
Clarke has been dominant since being sent back to junior, scoring 23 goals and adding 38 assists in 31 games.
(3) Barrie Colts vs. (6) Hamilton Bulldogs
Game 1 – Thursday, March 30 at Barrie – Colts 10, Bulldogs 2
Game 2 – Saturday, April 1 at Barrie – Colts 6, Bulldogs 3
Game 3 – Sunday, April 2 at Hamilton – Bulldogs 6, Colts 3
Game 4 – Tuesday, April 4 at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Game 5 – Thursday, April 6 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Game 6 – Monday, April 10 at Hamilton, 7 p.m.*
Game 7 – Tuesday, April 11 at Barrie, 7:30 p.m. *
(* if necessary)
