Silvertips forward Dawson Butt will be unavailable for Everett’s next two games, as the 19-year-old forward was suspended two games for his match penalty against the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday.
A line brawl broke out when Seattle’s Matthew Wedman laid a viscous open-ice hit on Gianni Fairbrother, presumably retaliating for an uncalled hit from Fairbrother on Connor Bruggen-Cate behind the net, sparking the nastiness. Butt was slapped with a match penalty, with the intent to injure after the dust settled.
Wedman was given a four-game suspension for his role in the situation. Seattle’s captain was initially given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct after the game, but the reason for the suspension on the WHL website was for a “check to the head.”
Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams called Wedman’s hit, “a gross hit,” after the game.
Things got testy tonight in Kent. With under 30 seconds left, Everett's Gianni Fairbrother checked Seattle's Conner Bruggen-Cate from behind. Went uncalled. Then Matthew Wedman came over and checked Fairbrother up high. He was given 5 for charging and a GM… pic.twitter.com/DVqyokuAyH
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) November 10, 2019
For full context here is the Fairbrother hit on Bruggen-Cate. This seems to be what got Wedman to come over. pic.twitter.com/hqBfUkzPyl
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) November 10, 2019
A melee followed and Everett's Dawson Butt was called for a match penalty/intent to injury. Camera cuts here and there so not entirely sure this is what he was called for but he catches Bruggen-Cate with an upper cut while the overager is somewhat tied up. pic.twitter.com/3zLskUM8Pn
— Brandon Rivers (@BriversWHL) November 10, 2019
Butt boasts two goals and two assists in 17 games this season. He’s primarily played on a line with Max Patterson and Justyn Gurney this season in a top-nine forward role.
Josh Horton covers the Silvertips for the Herald. Follow him on Twitter, @JoshHortonEDH
