Bruton’s bash causes big stir in WHL world
Spokane Chiefs captain Chris Bruton was responsible for the shot heard ‘round the Western Hockey League in the Chiefs’ 2-1 loss to the Everett Silvertips on Wednesday night.
But there are layers to this particular incident because of who was involved.
“Their guy went after (Mitch) Wahl and I went over there and grabbed (Kyle Beach),” said Bruton. “I didn’t go in with any force, he punched me first and then I retaliated with a punch and he went down.
“It’s unfortunate that he got injured from it, but I was only defending myself.”
Beach, one of the best skill players in the league, was chipping away at players all night. When Bruton landed the punch, Beach stayed on the ice for several minutes before he was immobilized and helped off the ice by teammates.
“He’s a high-maintenance guy,” said Chiefs coach Bill Peters, who still felt strongly about the situation a day after it happened. “This is right up his alley. It’s part of his shtick. He’s done this numerous times. It’s all a big charade.”
Here’s what the highlight reel shows:
After the game ended, Everett’s Graham Potuer and Wahl stared each other down at the side of the Everett net.
Potuer shoved Wahl just as Beach came up behind Wahl to get involved. Beach grabbed hold of Wahl when the shove came, Wahl lost his balance and the two got tied up. The linesman got between Wahl and Beach to break it up. While the three were twisted, Beach gave Wahl a facial with his glove and Wahl’s arm caught the back of Beach’s head. After Beach and Wahl were separated, Bruton approached the scene from behind to defend Wahl.
Beach turned and, after some words were exchanged, gave Bruton a shove in the face, to which Bruton responded by delivering a gloved right punch that sent Beach straight to the ice.
Beach did not go to the hospital following the game.
“Anyone knows if he’s seriously injured, you take him off on a spineboard. That’s what our doctor wanted to do and then his teammates helped him off,” said Peters. “The act is growing thin. It’s one of those things. Some teams lay on the ice, some teams play straight up. His reputation is what it is and it’s well-deserved.”
Now here is the million-dollar question, in these parts anyway: Is it fair to punish what appeared to be a provoked incident, or was this a dirty hit that deserves what could be a lengthy suspension?
The debaters, online and among the respective teams, are telling a couple of different stories.
Some think the punch knocked Beach lights out for up to a minute, and some don’t think he was unconscious. He certainly was motionless, and appeared to be out for a brief period after being hit.
Some argue that the hit was a cheap shot, but most saw, and the video shows, Beach shoved Bruton in the face before he was laid out, which would be the provoking point.
Only one thing is clear right now – everyone will have to wait and see how the league feels. No official word was handed down on Thursday, but if it happens, it will probably be today.
“If you’re asking my opinion here, no – he shouldn’t be suspended,” said Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz. “But will he be? Who knows? We’ll see what happens.”
Everett’s camp – general manager Doug Soetaert and coach John Becanic – declined to comment on the matter when attempts were made to reach them.
Following concussion protocol, Beach didn’t practice on Thursday and Becanic told the Everett Herald’s Nick Patterson that he was doubtful for the Silvertips’ game today. Becanic also told Patterson that he believed Beach was, in fact, unconscious from between 15 seconds to a minute.
The game was Bruton’s first back after serving a three-game suspension for a checking-from-behind major two weeks ago against Tri-City.
Beach received a roughing penalty and Bruton got a match penalty for attempt to injure.
Notes
The Chiefs have three games within the U.S. Division in four days, beginning tonight in Seattle. The trip continues in Everett on Saturday and concludes Monday in Portland. … Forward Mitch Wahl departs Sunday from Portland for the CHL-NHL Top Prospects game on Tuesday and Wednesday in Edmonton, Alberta. He will return Thursday in time for Spokane’s home game next Friday against Seattle.