OHL Trying to Prevent “Staged” Fights

A new rule, announced by the league Wednesday and effective starting Friday, calls for additional penalties to players who fight prior to or at the start of a game or period.

Players who fight at those times will be thrown out of the game and handed automatic one-game suspensions, with increased bans for subsequent infractions. The teams also will be hit with $500 fines, which will increase by the same amount each additional time it happens.