Checkers forward Ben Holmstrom will miss both of this weekend's contests in Iowa after receiving a two-game suspension from the league.
The suspension stems from an incident in the late stages of Tuesday's loss in San Antonio. Following a scrum involving all players on the ice, Holmstrom received a match penalty for high-sticking and a two-minute minor for slashing. Three Rampage players, along with Trevor Carrick, received game misconducts, but Holmstrom was the only player to get a match.
This is the fourth suspension handed to the Checkers this season, with rookie Carter Sandlak receiving four games for an incident that occurred against Texas on Nov. 8 and rookie Brock McGinn receiving two seperate one-game bans. This is the first suspension for Holmstrom this season.
Holmstrom, 27, ranks fifth on the Checkers with 13 assists and has established himself as one of the team's top centers. He has also served as an alternate captain this season.
The Checkers have been carrying an extra forward for their last string of games, with Sandlak and Alex Aleardi alternating being the odd man out. With the loss of Holmstrom, the Checkers will be without any healthy extras for this weekend's pair of games in Iowa. Holmstrom will be eligible to return to action Wednesday night in Norfolk.
