Old-time hockey at the new rink

The Detroit Red Wings began the day searching for ways to convince their fans to leave the comfort of the many bars and restaurants that populate new Little Caesars Arena and return to their seats to take in the action on the ice. One of the ideas was to permit people to go to their seats while play is in progress, a method that was verboten at Joe Louis Arena. Then Wednesday’s game with the Calgary Flames started, and another member of the organization came up with the much better idea. Luke Witkowski sometimes works on the Wings’ forward lines. Occasionally, he’s deployed on the Detroit defense. But he’s never worked in the club’s marketing department. That situation may be about to change. A resounding 8-2 win over the Flames wasn’t enough incentive to get the fans back in their seats, so Witkowski decided to up the ante. He started a fight with Calgary’s Brett Kulak with 5:56 left in the third period. Then, after being removed from the ice by the linesmen, Witkowski came back out between the benches, touching off a fray that immediately ignited into a line brawl.