Flames’ Tkachuk caught spearing

Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk was suspended for a game by the league for a spearing incident against Toronto. Tkachuk sat out Thursday against Montreal as Calgary ended a three-game losing streak. He forfeited $11,280.49 in salary.

The incident came in the first period of Calgary’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs. Tkachuk poked Maple Leafs forward Matt Martin with the blade of his stick while standing on the bench as an altercation was brewing along the sideboards. The play began when Martin came across the ice and checked Troy Brouwer into the boards, leading to a brief scrum.

Tkachuk was considered a repeat offender after receiving a two-game suspension for elbowing L.A. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty last year in his rookie season.

Canucks

Vancouver forward Bo Horvat is expected to miss at least six weeks after fracturing a bone in his right foot. Horvat was injured Tuesday night against Carolina.

Devils

Former Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy said he will donate his brain to research after he dies so it can be studied for signs of traumatic injury. He is the first active NHL player to make such a pledge.

Elsewhere

Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon signed a purchase agreement to buy the Carolina Hurricanes from longtime owner Peter Karmanos. Commissioner Gary Bettman said the team would not move from North Carolina. Bettman also said the league’s board of governors will consider an expansion application from Seattle. The expansion fee has been set at $650 million for Seattle, which would become the league’s 32nd team, if approved. Bill Foley paid a $500 million expansion fee for the Vegas Golden Knights.