Checkers coach, player suspended

Charlotte Checkers coach Derek Wilkinson and winger Devin DiDiomete have been suspended by the ECHL for misbehavior near the end of a home loss to Florida on Thursday.

Wilkinson was suspended one game for throwing a water bottle onto the ice. He'll miss Sunday's home game against Kalamazoo.

DiDiomete, 21, was suspended three games and fined an undisclosed amount.

DiDiomete is a New York Rangers prospect and was playing his second game with Charlotte after being assigned from Hartford (American Hockey League). He was assessed a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct penalty for aggression with 15 seconds left. He will miss today's game, and games against Elmira (Friday) and South Carolina (Saturday).

DiDiomete led Hartford in penalty minutes last season with 239 in 73 games last season.

- Cliff Mehrtens