Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

OHL Bench-Clearing Brawl: Are Suspensions Enough?

The recent Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes brawl resulted in significant suspensions and fines. Do you think these penalties fit the crime? Were the coaches equally culpable, or should one team bear more responsibility? Nine games for Messier seems steep, especially considering the escalating tensions on both benches. What precedent does this set for future incidents in the OHL? Is this a sign of a growing problem with player discipline in junior hockey, or just an isolated incident? I predict we will see a more tightly officiated game between these two teams for the remainder of the season, and perhaps league-wide. What are your thoughts? Is fining the teams enough? Should there be further consequences for the organizations involved? Share your opinions and let’s discuss!