The ECHL Department of Player Safety has announced that Adirondack Thunder forward Zach Walker and Orlando Solar Bears winger Tyler Bird have each been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount for their actions in the opening game of round 2 of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Walker and Bird will miss their team’s respective games tonight.
Zach Walker boarded Norfolk’s Mark Liwiski at the 7:28 mark of the first period. Walker would be assessed as major for boarding and game misconduct. This is not the first time that Walker has been suspended, as he got suspended for eight games earlier this year for abusing an official. Losing Walker is massive for Adirondack, as he’s one of those guys who not only has Kelly Cup Playoff experience but is a physical presence on the ice and is one of those players who is irreplaceable in a lineup. In 27 games during the regular season, he had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points; he had two assists in the opening round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Orlando’s Tyler Bird was assessed a major for slashing and a game misconduct at the 18:55 mark of the third period. Bird slashed Florida’s Jesse Lansdell in the head/face area. The 27-year-old forward played in all 72 games this season, putting up 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points. He has two goals and three assists for five points in seven games.
