AHL suspends player through ‘05

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — An American Hockey League player was suspended Friday through the end of next season for a two-handed, stick-swinging attack on an opponent.

Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin, whose NHL rights belong to the Montreal Canadiens, received the longest suspension on record in AHL history. He’ll miss the rest of this year’s playoffs.

Perezhogin slammed his stick into Cleveland Barons defenseman Garrett Stafford’s face during an April 30 playoff game in Hamilton, Ontario.

Stafford, on his knees when he was hit, fell in convulsions, blood gushing from a gash on his face. He needed 20 stitches and had a concussion.

The players’ fight began when Stafford swung his stick at Perezhogin, striking the back of his helmet. Stafford was suspended for six games.