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, As a fellow ref, and one was always compared to you (because of my hair) I ask you this; prior to the recent change in what constitutes a hking penalty where just touching a player in the midsection can result in a hking call, my criteria in calling a hk was: Did it impede the players progress? Did it cause a change of possession? Did it cause an injury? Did it materially affect the game? If not, then I wouldnt call it. There may be an exception that doesnt one to mind, but essentially, thats what I chose to do. In the game last night leading up to the winning goal, Jaromir Jagr reached in and clearly hked Evgeni Malkin (in my opinion), resulting in a change of possession. You could tell because as Malkin was pushing with his legs to take off with the puck and as Jagr reached in with his stick and pulled, Malkins body position went from leaning forward in a driving forward motion to being erect and his forward progress was obviously altered by that action. He lost the puck to Jagr as a result of that hk. Jagr was closer to his offensive zone. Because of that hk, when he snagged the puck, he was closer to the Penguin goal than Malkin was and it gave him an advantage which he used to start the play for the winning goal. So finally, my question...even in an OT playoff game, should a hk have been called? Bill Totten --- Kerry, Thank you for the insight you give us everyday and the thought process you give us of an NHL referee. Last night on the Boston Bruins overtime goal there was a clear hk on Evgeni Malkin by Jaromir Jagr. Jagrs stick was to the midsection of Malkin and there was also a tug which led to the Bruins coming back and getting the winner. All year long including the playoffs we have seen far less hks be called for a penalty. Why was this not called? Shouldnt the same rules be applied regardless if its the first period or OT? By calling the game differently in OT then it would be in the first arent they ruining the integrity of the game? Thank you,Angelo Vamvakas Bill and Angelo: The is no way anyone can put a positive spin on the non-call (video link) in double overtime that turned the puck over and resulted in the game winning goal by Patrice Bergeron of Boston. As both of you alluded to, Jaromir Jagr clearly reached and hked Evgeni Malkin through the hands and then up under the armpit. As Jagr pulled back with his stick, Malkins forward progress was stalled, stutter-stepped and his body twisted from the hk. Jagr then gained possession of the puck and reversed the flow on the attack to set up the game-winning goal. The expectation is (and should be) that obvious infractions will be called at any time of the game. There was give and take in this hard fought game and both sides gained some advantages from a generous standard of enforcement that was extended to them. Once players enter a relative comfort zone that the Refs are allowing them to play and anything short of a scoring opportunity or a puck shot over the glass will be called they often take advantage of everything they can. This turnover of the puck was at the red line; just short of 100 feet from either goal. Jagr gambled that he could get away with the hk in double overtime. His leap of faith paid off for him and the Boston Bruins as they tk a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Since the play tk place at the red line and on a puck carrier (which is a visual transition zone for the Refs) it would be next to impossible if at least one Referee was not focused directly on the action. Its even highly probable that four eyes would have had a lk at the play from different vantage points. The Referee on the same side of the ice in the Penguins zone (trailing Malkin) might have had an obstructed view lking through Jagrs back as the hk was administered. Theoretically, the best view would be drawn with an angle on the play by the lead Ref on the opposite side of the ice. Perhaps neither Ref had a clear sightline on the play. If that was the case, one or both of them should have! I can appreciate the pressure the Officials feel as the game extends into double OT. Every decision they make is crucial and magnified at this point of the game. No Ref wants to be accused of making a weak call that decides the game. Also keep in mind, penalties were being called in both overtime periods. In the first extra period, coincidental minor penalties were called on Milan Lucic and Matt Cke followed by power play opportunities when Chris Kelly was whistled for tripping and Brks Orpik for high-sticking before Evgeni Malkin got the automatic delay of game for shting the puck over the glass. Boston was assessed a t many men on the ice near the start of the second overtime period. Most likely no one remembers these calls or that the Referees were performing their duties as expected. What will be remembered, at least by the Penguins and their fans, is the old schl attitude of letting the players decide the outcome of the game that crept back last night; if only for just one non-call. Following the 2004-05 lockout, the expectation was for a more consistent standard to be implemented; especially on restraining fouls. The new way dictated that a Referee would get in less trouble for what he called as opposed to what he didnt. This held true last night in Boston. Bill and Angelo, the Referees have to make a call such as this at anytime throughout the game. When they do, they need to be supported by the entire hockey community. Lets not ever hear again the old adage to, "let the players decide the outcome of the game." Vapormax Flyknit Saldi . You can watch the game live on TSN at 70pm et/40pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternn before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. Nike Vapormax Italia . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. http://www.vapormaxscontateoutlet.it/vapormax-bianche-scontate-outlet.html . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Vapormax Bianche Ingrosso . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Vapormax Scontate .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas Jayhawks forward?Carlton Bragg Jr.?was suspended indefinitely Friday after he was accused of pushing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs and charged with one count of battery.The 20-year-old sophomore was taken into custody shortly after midnight, according to the district attorneys office in Douglass County. Bragg allegedly struck the woman and pushed her during an argument.Bragg pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor, which carries a fine and up to six months in jail if he is convicted. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 27.He did not play for the third-ranked Jayhawks (8-1) against Nebraska on Saturday.Carlton and I have spoken, Kansas coach Bill Self said in a statement. He certainly understands the circumstances surrounding this issue. We are takingg this charge very seriously.ddddddddddddWere going to hold him out from competition as we continue to gather facts.Bragg has appeared in all nine games, with five starts, this season, and is averaging 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16 minutes. But the long, lean forward has slowly lost playing time as the Jayhawks have gone to a smaller, quicker lineup the last few weeks.Still, the former five-star recruit and top-50 prospect coming out of Villa Angela St. Joseph in Cleveland is considered a first-round draft pick if he leaves schl early. Many thought he would declare for the draft after last season, even though he averaged just 3.8 points and 8.9 minutes. ' ' '