Kuchmey walks out on Spitfires in 10-2 loss to Knights

CTV London: Stolarz out for 8 games London Knights goalie Anthony Stolarz has been suspended eight games for a stick infraction. Marek Sutherland reports.

WINDSOR, Ont. - The Windsor Spitfires were left with just one goaltender Tuesday after having their starter walk out on them midway through Game 3 of their Ontario Hockey League playoff matchup with the London Knights.

Dalen Kuchmey pulled himself from Windsor's net, went to the dressing room, changed and drove away from the arena after giving up eight goals on 26 shots, leaving the Spitfires trailing 8-1 with 5:34 remaining in the second period.

London went on to win the game 10-2.

"You're going to have to ask him," Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner said when asked about Kuchmey's whereabouts during the third period. "He left the ice and the rink before the (second) period was over. He quit on our team and he quit on his teammates."

Kuchmey was making his first start of the series, filling in for regular starter Alex Fotinos who came down sick after starting Game 1 and 2.

London jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes of play and Boughner spoke to Fotinos about replacing Kuchmey to start the second, but decided to stick with the healthier 19-year-old despite the score.

"I asked our backup goalie (Fotinos) who had been sick all day at the end of the first period if he could go in if we had to pull Kuch at some point," Boughner said. "He said, 'if you need me, great, but I don't feel good at all'.

Added Boughner: "Our backup was sick. It is what it is and I really don't have anything more to say as I haven't talked to (Kuchmey). But once you quit on our team .... I'd rather concentrate on the guys who want to be here."

Ryan Rupert and Bo Horvat each had a goal and three assists for the Knights, who have a commanding 3-0 series lead. Zach Bell, Chandler Yakimowicz, Michael McCarron, Matt Rupert, Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tierney, Josh Anderson and Mitchell Marner added the others.

London's Anthony Stolarz made 24 saves for the win. Stolarz received a two-minute minor for high sticking at the 15:56 mark of the first period after hitting Josh Ho-Sang in the back of the head with his stick. He was later handed an eight-game suspension for the move.

Ho-Sang and Ben Johnson scored for the Spitfires as Fotinos wound up stopping 11-of-13 shots in 25 minutes of relief.

Boughner added that goaltender Brendan Johnston could be called up from Chatham Jr. B in time for Game 4 on Thursday.