Three OHL players get hit with multi-game suspensions

TORONTO - The Ontario Hockey League handed out three multi-game suspensions Tuesday, including a 10-game ban for Plymouth Whalers defenceman Yannick Rathgeb.

Rathgeb hit Guelph centre Robby Fabbri behind the Plymouth net with a blindside hit Friday in the second period of Game 1 of the first-round OHL playoff series between the Storm and the Whalers.

Fabbri was off-balance and trying to receive the puck when he was hit by Rathgeb. Fabbri left the game with an injury while Rathgeb was assessed a game misconduct for delivering a check to the head.

The league also suspended Plymouth forward Carter Sandlak for four games for an incident in the same game. Sandlak received a match penalty for slashing in the third period.

Guelph leads the series 2-0 with Game 3 scheduled for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Windsor forward Cristiano DiGiacinto received a five-game suspension for his actions in Game 2 of the Spitfires' series with London.

DiGiacinto touched off a line brawl when he punched London's Gemel Smith, who refused to drop his gloves.

DiGiacinto received an instigator misconduct penalty along with a fighting major. The league said in a release that he was being suspended for "his bullying actions toward an opposition player."

Both teams were also fined $1,000.

London leads the series 2-0. Game 3 is Tuesday.