The diagnosis is in for Silvertips center Kohl Bauml, and it isn’t good for Everett as Bauml is likely done for the rest of the season with a broken leg.
Bauml went down in the early minutes of Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over Kelowna after crashing hard into the boards. He had to be helped off the ice and did not return. Bauml has since been diagnosed with a compound fracture to his tibia. The injury typically requires a six-week recovery. With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, Everett would likely have to reach the Western Conference finals for Bauml to get back into the lineup this season.
This is a massive loss for Everett. Bauml may have modest numbers (14 goals and 14 assists in 65 games), but he’s a true heart-and-soul player for the Tips. The 19-year-old is an alternate captain, a heady and experienced veteran, and he plays in all situations — he’s a member of the first unit on the power play, is Everett’s top penalty-killing forward, and he’s often called upon to defend the opponents’ top line.
Filling Bauml’s role won’t be easy for the Tips. He’s used in so many different ways it’ll likely require a group effort. At least Everett has two more forwards available as wingers Tyler Sandhu and Logan Aasman, who were both out with upper-body injuries, are now available.
Lastly, Kelowna’s Dalton Yorke was given a three-game suspension by the league for his game misconduct Tuesday against Everett, and the Rockets were fined $250. Yorke was shown the gate after instigating a fight with Everett’s Zane Jones. I believe the reason for the suspension and fine is because Yorke line changed to instigate the fight after Jones put a hit on Kelowna’s Nick Merkley, and I think the league is trying to stamp that out.
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