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Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.Patrick Peterson Jersey .ca. Kerry, In Mondays Habs/Bruins game, there were three questionable/brutal calls against the Habs late in the game - Tomas Plekanec, then Douglas Murray, then Brendan Gallagher. Both Murray and Gallagher had some choice words for the refs and I cant blame them. Mike Johnson mentioned that Gallagher should be careful or he might get more for chirping the ref. What are the rules in terms of what gets you tossed? How far can you go in terms of pointing out to the ref that he just might not be perfect? Thanks! James DarlingHead of EnglishHOLY TRINITY SCHOOLRichmond Hill, Ontario James: Every official has a unique and individualized flash point that will usually be triggered by a players physical gestures and/or a choice of words that might include profane or abusive language. What is deemed to cross the line with one official might not get the slightest reaction from another. I am quite sure this philosophy applies in the classroom as well James when you and your colleagues determine what level of inappropriate student behavior will result in a detention. A one-on-one conversation between the ref and a player can often get heated (even profane) so long as the player doesnt get personal and knows when its time to skate away. No one appreciates being embarrassed so if a player is overly demonstrative or persists in disputing the refs ruling with a public tirade witnessed by other players, coaches and the crowd, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will likely be assessed. Slamming of sticks on the ice or boards, along with hand gestures and tossing of equipment can usually garner an unwanted reaction from the referee. Typically a warning signal is issued to a player when, in the heat of the moment, things start to escalate and the referee shows signs of getting his back up! A veteran referee that has developed relationships and established a reputation with players and coaches can often be cut some additional slack. The veteran might also be less tolerant of player/coach abuse or disrespectful conduct so players know when its time for them to pull back before they get to the edge of the cliff. The warning signal issued by a ref doesnt necessarily have to be verbal. I found the less I opened my mouth the better, since it often resulted in imposing ultimatums I might not want to enforce at a later point in the game. Statements such as, "one more word out of you; if you do that again," can invite a confrontational response from a player. If I did communicate a verbal request to a player I attempted to do it in a non-threatening fashion and by keeping any negative energy I might be feeling in check. Once I was well established, I often preferred non-verbal signals in the form of body language, a stern look or a hand signal that indicated I had enough and the player was skating on thin ice. Our seven children around the dinner table one night affectionately termed it the "Daddy Look!" In a game at the Staples Arena in 2006 the LA Kings came onto the ice prior to the national anthem. Future Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille was in his final season and immediately blasted up beside me with his big trademark smile pasted all over his face. Excitedly, Lucky kept repeating that I was "Really Big" and shared with me in all his years 19 in the NHL it was the first time a coach (Andy Murray) dedicated the game day meeting to talking about the referee. According to Luc, Coach Murray said, "Kerry Fraser is the referee tonight and if he raises his arm and gives you a penalty dont open your mouth to argue; skate straight to the penalty box. If Fraser says its a penalty—its a penalty so dont piss him off!" Lucky and I laughed as he continued to tell me how "Big" I was. It is important for a referee to understand that players are never happy when they are assessed a penalty and it is best to give them a wide berth on the way to the penalty box to avoid a confrontation or to appear antagonistic. If a player chases the ref then the onus is clearly on the player and can be held accountable for his actions. I have also seen improper conduct demonstrated by fellow refs that did not diffuse player anger or establish control. Gasoline was thrown on the fire when, on occasion I saw a ref inappropriately yell at a player to, "shut-up and get in the f-**n box". Unprofessional behavior such as this by any official cannot be condoned, defended or tolerated. A referee must feel the energy of a game and attempt to manage it in an appropriate manner without taking the game away from the players. Last night in Boston there was a surplus of energy in that game that made it exciting; some of the negative energy even contributed to the entertainment value. While we can scrutinize and disagree with some of the calls and non-calls throughout the game I think it is worthwhile to note that the refs also demonstrated some tolerance and self-control. They werent quick on the trigger and allowed the Montreal players to vent their frustration before stepping into the penalty box on a few occasions. I felt the cross-check penalty to Tomas Plekanec for pushing Brad Marchand to the ice was a weak call and a byproduct of the incidental contact between Plekanec and Tuukka Rask 190 feet earlier. Douglas Murray, on the other hand, was assessed a legitimate penalty that is most often called once he removed his hand from his stick and wrapped and spun Chris Kelly off the puck. Brendan Gallagher had the most valid complaint as he surgically positioned and lifted his stick below the lower hand of Gregory Campbell to separate Campbell from the puck on a breakaway. Even though Gallaghers stick slid up the shaft of Campbells stick and made momentary contact with Campbells bottom glove the stick check had already been executed and should have been ruled a good defensive play. The fact that it was determined to be a foul by the referee his best response should have been to call a penalty shot since it had occurred from behind. Thankfully, there was no point to center ice and no unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed when Gallagher protested the penalty call. James, the best way for a player to respond when a ref doesnt make a "perfect call" is to do what Coach Andy Murray suggested; "go to penalty box and dont piss the ref off." I would also add, once the penalty has been served approach the ref and calmly attempt to plead your innocence. It just might plant the seed for a budding relationship to develop with the referees. John Carlson Authentic Jersey .C. -- Colorado goaltender Dillon Ward made 41 saves and John Grant Jr. Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals Jersey . Brad Richards scored twice on New Yorks previously anemic power play, Martin St. Louis had three assists in his best game since joining the Rangers last month, and Henrik Lundqvist kept the Carolina Hurricanes at bay in a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night.MIAMI -- Randy Wolf pitched six innings Monday night for his first victory since 2012, and the Miami Marlins beat Tampa Bay 3-1, sending the Rays to their seventh consecutive loss. The 37-year-old Wolf, making a comeback from the second Tommy John surgery of his career, allowed three hits and one run. He struck out seven, walked one and won for the first time since he pitched Baltimore past Tampa Bay on Sept. 13, 2012. The Rays fell to 0-7 on their eight-game trip. Theyre 12 games below .500 for the first time since 2007, and their record (23-35) is the worst in the American League. Four Miami relievers completed the six-hitter, and Steve Cishek pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances. The Marlins snapped a streak of four consecutive home losses as they started a four-game home-and-home series against their intrastate rivals. The Rays went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. Theyve scored six runs in their past five games. Alex Cobb (1-3) paid dearly for a rocky start. The Marlins scored three times in the first, when their first four batters reached. Casey McGehee hit a two-run single, and a bases-loaded double play scored another run. Cobb then settled down and shut out Miami over the next five innings, but the Rays couldnt rally. Tampa Bay starters remained winless in the past 15 games, the teams longest such streak ssince 2006. Jerraud Powers Authentic Jersey. Wolf (1-1) didnt pitch in 2013 and was making his second start of this year. His fastball registered only in the upper 80s (mph), but he had command of his breaking pitches and struck out five of the first eight batters he faced. The Rays finally broke through in the fifth on an RBI double by Desmond Jennings, but Wolf retired the next three hitters. Wolf was signed as a free agent last month after ace Jose Fernandez was sidelined by a season-ending elbow injury. The left-hander improved his career record to 133-118. NOTES: Rays SS Yunel Escobar (quad) was back in the lineup after missing two starts. ... Tampa Bay RF Wil Myers (wrist), who went on the disabled list Sunday, is awaiting further test results but is expected to be sidelined three to six weeks, the team said. ... Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow surgery) threw 50 pitches in a simulated game in Port Charlotte and said he felt good. Hell likely make at least three rehab starts but is on schedule to return before the All-Star break. ... Marlins 2B Derek Dietrich was given the night off after a succession of defensive gaffes. ... Before the first pitch, the wives of Marlins players beat the Rays wives in a softball game. ... Henderson Alvarez (2-3, 2.97 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday for Miami against Chris Archer (3-2, 4.00). ' ' ' |
