NY Islanders' Kashawn Aitcheson assessed a 2-game suspension to begin the OHL Playoffs

Kashawn Aitcheson made headlines last week, signing his ELC with the NY Islanders, ready to take the next step in his development at the conclusion of his career with the Barrie Colts. But this weekend, Aitcheson is in the headlines for the wrong reasons, as an on-ice decision has gotten him suspended for the first two games of the postseason.

Aitcheson suspended

In their last game of the regular season, Barrie took on the Niagara IceDogs - the same team they’ll meet in the first-round of the playoffs. In an altercation with Hayden Reid, Aitcheson was assessed a fighting major, an instigation minor, and instigating misconduct, despite neither player dropping the gloves.

According to OHL rules, players will receive a two-game suspension for each fight after their third of the season, and this is Aitcheson's fourth fight.

“Yeah, that’s tough,” said Colts’ head coach Dylan Smoskowitz according to Gene Pereira of Barrie 360. “You go into a game with a game plan, and knowing what’s at stake, and then what you can, and what you can’t do… Emotions sometimes get the best of you, so it’s something that he’ll (Aitcheson) have to learn from, and I’m sure he’ll carry that into the rest of his career.”

The two-seed Colts will host the seven-seed IceDogs on Thursday for Game 1, with Aitcheson eligible to play once again in Game 3 next Tuesday, when home ice will shift to Niagara.

Though Barrie has high hopes for a run towards the OHL Finals and a berth in the Memorial Cup, Aitcheson will likely join the Islanders in Bridgeport if Barrie’s season is cut short, suiting up for the B-Islanders in a potential playoff run of their own.