Leafs' Kessel suspended for rest of preseason

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel was suspended for the final three preseason games for slashing Buffalo Sabres forward John Scott during a brawl between the two teams on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the third period, when Scott attempted to fight Kessel. Unwilling to engage the Sabres' enforcer, Kessel instead slashed at Scott's ankles to encourage him to keep away.

His Maple Leaf teammates skated in to keep him away from Scott, who outweighs Kessel by about 70 pounds. The teams were soon brawling all over the ice, with goalies Ryan Miller and Jonathan Bernier tangling.

Kessel received a match penalty for slashing.

The Maple Leafs and Sabres next meet in the regular season on Nov. 15 in Buffalo.