Pennsylvania hockey team bans cowbells after rowdy celebration

April 21 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania hockey team announced cowbells are being banned from their arena after rowdy fans threw dozens of them onto the ice.

The Erie Otters handed out cowbells to fans as part of a giveaway Tuesday at Game 7 of the OHL's Western Conference semifinals against the London Knights, and the team has previously sold cowbells branded with the team's logos.

The cowbells were intended as noise-making instruments, but they became a safety hazard when Otters fans threw dozens of cowbells onto the ice while the Otters were celebrating their victory. Both teams were still on the ice as cowbells rained down on them.

Erie Events, which operates Erie Insurance Arena, told GoErie.com cowbells will no longer be allowed at the arena to "provide for a safer environment for the players, coaches, staff and patrons at our venue."

Aaron Cooney, Otters media relations manager, said the team will no longer sell cowbells as part of its merchandising.

"We agree" with the decision, Cooney said. "We don't condone the actions, and we stand next to Erie Events moving forward with this new rule."