Birkholz exonerated
Published 4:45 pm Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Everett Silvertips learned today that leading scorer Josh Birkholz will not be suspended for his checking-to-the-head major penalty incurred during Wednesday’s game at Kamloops. Normally a major penalty comes with a minimum of a one-game suspension and usually more, particularly with the emphasis now being put on headshots. This indicates the hit not only wasn’t worthy of a major, that perhaps it wasn’t even illegal. Small consolation for the Tips, considering Kamloops scored twice during the resulting penalty, and that Everett had to play the final 57:30 of the game without its top scorer. Everett really hasn’t been able to catch a break this season.
The good news for Everett, at least, is that Birkholz will be available for Friday’s home game against Spokane when it looked like he’d be suspended.
The status of captain Ryan Murray, however, remains in the air. Murray will be a game-time decision for Friday’s game. That will be Murray’s last chance to play with the Tips before heading to Canada’s tryouts for the World Junior Hockey Championships. If Murray makes that team, as expected, he won’t be back in Everett until January.
