Whl Expected To Rule Soon Whether Schutz Will Be Further Penalized

The Western Hockey League is reviewing the Saturday night slashing incident that left Seattle’s Scott Kel- man injured on the ice at the conclusion of Spokane’s 2-1 loss to the Thunderbirds in the Arena.

Spokane captain Derek Schutz was assessed a slashing major and a game misconduct for whacking Kelman on the side of one knee in frustration, at the horn, as Spokane’s bid for the tying goal with the extra attacker came up short.

Schutz may get an additional match penalty, and with it a suspension. WHL vice president Rick Doerksen said Tuesday he expected to rule on that today or Thursday.

“(Kelman) missed Seattle’s game on Sunday night,” Doerksen said. “I’m not sure if he’ll be in the lineup when Seattle plays three big games this week. They’re playing for home-ice advantage in the playoffs.”

The T-Birds close with two against last-place Portland and one with the Tri-City Americans, who are on a 10-game losing streak. Seattle trails third-place Kamloops by a point.

Asked how many games Schutz is likely to miss, should the slash be ruled a match penalty, Doerkesen said he wouldn’t speculate “until I have all the facts.”

Thunderbirds assistant coach Rob Sumner said Kelman didn’t practice Tuesday. “It (the knee) is still swollen,” Sumner said. “We’re not sure what the deal is (for the weekend).”

The Chiefs’ next game is the home finale Friday night with Kelowna. Spokane can wrap up the WHL West Division regular-season championship with a win or a tie.

With a two-game weekend sweep - the Chiefs close the season Saturday night in Tri-City - Spokane would complete the third-best season-to-season turnaround in WHL history.

Spokane had 47 points in the standings last year. The Chiefs are currently at 96, a 49-point improvement over a year ago.