The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors,...

The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors, meeting in Montreal, turned down the New Jersey Devils’ appeal of their playoff fines and said that any team going to court against the league in the future could be fined up to $1 million.

Said Commissioner John Ziegler: “If any club gets a restraining order lifting a suspension and can’t make it a permanent one, the club will be fined $1 million. A court might still uphold the club’s order. The only question is whether the team wants to take that chance.”

Devil Coach Jim Schoenfeld was suspended for a game after a confrontation with referee Don Koharski during a playoff game May 6. But the Devils obtained a temporary restraining order allowing Schoenfeld to coach Game 4 of the series, prompting a walkout in protest by referee Dave Newell and his crew. Amateur officials worked the game.

At a hearing before Game 5, Schoenfeld’s suspension was upheld and the regular officials returned. The restraining order was vacated by a New Jersey court.