Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at
cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, Here is my qualm, which has been happening for quite some time now. When a player like John Scott clearly comes out to do damage, and targets the head of Loui Eriksson, why is Adam McQuaid awarded a penalty even though he technically did the right thing from a hockey perspective? I get that the rules are the rules, but when you were on the ice and saw something like that happen, wouldnt you rather punish the offending party rather than call a foul on McQuaid who was simply sticking up for his teammate? I am not asking you to explain the letter of the law, rather I am asking whether refs have difficulty enforcing penalties even when they know they may not be the right call. Thanks, Bagoon -- Bagoon:Your qualm is with the playing rules and not the manner in which the Referees must enforce them! Even though you dont care to accept the letter of the law you must understand that rules are in place to punish the "offending party" in all cases and to provide added player protection. Adam McQuaid is certainly a standup guy but he must also be held accountable for his decision to instigate a fight. John Scott was the initial offending party when he made a horrible decision to pick the head of Loui Eriksson with a late hit. A referee raised his arm on the play and correctly identified the infraction as a match penalty under rule 48.5 for attempting to or deliberately injuring Eriksson. The assessment of a match is the most severe penalty in the book that a referee can impose. Scott was not only expelled from the game but was automatically suspended from further competition until the Commissioner (Player Safety Committee) has ruled on the issue. John Scott wont be returning to action any time soon! The Ref did his job and the Bruins would have received the benefit of a five-minute power-play had McQuaid not intervened at this point. Please understand that when a match penalty is imposed on a play the only penalty that is dispensed with (not assessed) under the rules is the game misconduct that results from a "third man in" situation. All other player penalties (including the instigator of a fight) are to be imposed. I totally understand what Adam McQuaid did in defence of his teammate, Loui Eriksson. I can think of several other Bruin players that would have done exactly the same thing had they been on the ice at the time or were able to get to Scott before McQuaid did. While many would applaud McQuaid for his response (perhaps even some guys in stripes; albeit silently) the Referees could not turn a blind eye and allow a free pass to McQuaid for his obvious instigation of the fight. That being said, if there was any possible leeway that could have been extended to McQuaid (had he been a little less obvious in his attack of Scott) I am most certain the Referees would have granted it. Based on Adam McQuaids actions however the Ref was handcuffed in his ability to simply impose coincidental fighting majors or even an additional minor penalty to McQuaid for roughing instead of the instigator penalty (2 + 10). I have extended every possible courtesy to a player that came to the aid of his teammate like McQuaid did but only when afforded the opportunity to bend a rule (benefit of the doubt) without completely compromising my integrity or that of the rules. It was much easier to do back then when there was no instigator rule to impose. Adam McQuaids subsequent actions are totally and accurately described in rule 46.11; (An instigator of an altercation shall be a player who by his actions or demeanor demonstrates any/some of the following criteria; distance travelled; gloves off first; first punch thrown; menacing attitude or posture; verbal instigation or threats; conduct in retaliation to a prior game (or season) incident; obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game or season.) Perhaps you might remember from a recent column where I said that when a penalty is to be assessed the "meter keeps running." Adam McQuaid started the meter for the Bruins when he took off after John Scott. What you are really suggesting Bagoon ("right thing from a hockey perspective") is for the Referees to allow players to police themselves through vigilante rule. Believe me when I tell you I saw the effect of that far too many times during the 70s-90s! Had this type of hit occurred during some of those eras, Scott would not only have been jumped by McQuaid but the entire Bruin bench would have vaulted over the boards to get at him; followed closely behind by the Sabres to pick a partner! I have witnessed 25 minute brawls on the ice and even under the stands. I for one dont want to go back to that storied element of hockey history. Instead I want to see players punished severely and consistently for dangerous or deliberate hits to the head of an opponent to stop this madness. Hits such as these do not qualify under the banner of "tough" hockey but instead are designed to inflict punishment, deliberate injury and provide the potential to end a players career or worse yet. The Game, the League and the Referees owe every player safe protection under the playing rules and through supplementary discipline. Regardless of how Refs feel personally about a cheap shot they observe on the ice they must do their job and impose the appropriate penalties that result. Turning a blind eye to obvious infractions; negative elements within the game; or a reckless attitude demonstrated by some players is not the answer. Strict enforcement of the playing rules and suspensions are the only responsible position to take. . The 23-year-old McNabb was an All-Star with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans this season, posting seven goals and 22 assists in 38 games. In 12 games with the Sabres this season, McNabb has accumulated six penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating. He has scored one goal and seven assists in 37 career games with the Sabres, who originally selected him in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. . The bout served as the headlining matchup of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva" event, which took place at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati. It was Silva who looked well on his way to victory in the early going, delivering a pair of crushing kicks to the body that sent Brown crashing to the floor, doubled over in pain. . The Cavaliers first-year forward will miss at least three weeks with a strained left knee, the latest setback for the No. . "All he says is, its crazy," DeMar DeRozan told reporters following Torontos win over the Pistons Wednesday. The Raptors longest-serving members, Johnson and DeRozan have had two coaches and 56 different teammates in five seasons with the club, all without appearing in a single playoff game. . Anaheim Ducks Reassign D Colby Robak to Norfolk Admirals (AHL). - Team Website D Eric Brewer (foot) removed from injured reserve.Toronto Maple Leafs legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin joined TSN Radio 1050s Jim Tatti and Jeff ONeill on Friday to give his thoughts on the Olympic hockey tournament ahead of Sundays gold medal match-up between his native Sweden and Canada. While there is a lot that Sundin has liked in the tournament so far, the performance that Russia put forth against Finland in the quarterfinals left a bad taste in his mouth. "I was almost disgusted by their performance when they played Finland," said the 43-year-old who played 18 seasons in the NHL. "I look at the Finnish team and theyre missing key players. They dont have any of their big stars and now [Rask] is hurt and that Russian team is stacked with great players and to come out and have that performance they had in the quarterfinals. It was an absolutely heartless performance. "It was very disappointing and I dont think its very good for hockey either to have them out of their home tournament. You wonder when you have Putin in the stands on home ice and you cant get heart out of these guys? Whats going to bring it out? I dont know," he said. Sundin believes simply chalking up Russias crashing out of the tournament to the tremendous pressure the team was under is a bit of a cop-out. "Even though youre nervous or you have a lot of pressure built up, you can always still get into the motions and show that youre actually trying," said the former first-overall pick by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. "We didnt see anything of that in the quarterfinal." The captain of the gold medal-winning Swedish team in the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Sundin believes that its impossible to compare trying to capture a Stanley Cup to winning Olympic gold. "You cant even compare it to me," said Sundin. "I mean, the Stanley Cup is the biggest thing you can win playing for a club team in the world. Its over a [full] season and you try to get that, but saying that, international hockey and the Olympic Games go to a little bit of a higher level. You have all the absolute best players in the world competing. Its a short tournament, but its the absolute best, biggest thing you can win as a hockey player today where you face every countrys best players on the ice. And also, for any athlete, women or men, winning an Olympic medal is a little bit beyond just the sport of hockey, as well. You cant compare them, but obviously, you want to be part of both for sure." Sundin thinks that an unfamiliarity with the larger ice surface is one of the main reasons why Canadas offence has yet to really click in Sochi, despite the team being undefeated.dddddddddddd "The last time the Olympics were around, the tournament was held on a smaller ice surface, an edge to the North American teams, no doubt," said Sundin. "The US and Canada were more comfortable. You look at the tournament right now, you can tell [Canada] is not as comfortable on the big ice surface...with the bigger ice surface, it becomes a little bit of a different game." The all-time Leafs leader in points acknowledges that an adjustment needs to be made for North American teams playing on the big international ice. "Just one big difference is when you come into an end, whether its your own end or youre in the offensive zone, youre further away from your opponent," explained the nine-time NHL All-Star. "Theres a little bit more room for a forward to slip away or get out of the way, out of position, so when that happens, and I think a North American feels that, you get a little more tentative and if youre tentative in hockey or you wait a little bit, then youre a step behind. I think thats the biggest thing." With NHL participation up in the air for the 2018 Olympic Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sundin believes it would be a mistake for the league to stop sending its best to the tournament as its a perfect opportunity to put a spotlight on the sport. "For me, its a no-brainer," said Sundin. "I think youve got to look at the broader picture. For the game of hockey, and if you want the game to continue to grow, theres no better window than the Olympic Games, where you can get new fans watching our great game, people from different parts of the world. I dont really see a reason why not. I know it affects the game short term. Some guys get hurt (and) when they get back they might not perform as well. But if you look at a long term picture, I think its just too big of a window to promote our sport to not be part of it." As for Sundays clash between his home country and the country he spent 18 years playing in, Sundin gives the edge to Canada. "Theres no doubt that the Swedish team...are not where you would think to call them a gold medal favourite at this point [without] Henrik Sedin and Henrik Zetterberg, two of the best centremen we have playing right now," said Sundin. "For them to get to the finals here, to get by Finland...Ill hold Canada as the favourites to win the gold medal, but if you have [Henrik] Lundqvist playing an enormous game in the final, theres a shot. But its a long shot for sure." ' ' '
