Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Wholesale New Balance For Sale .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. New Balance Uk Sale . With the players association in the midst of meetings in Las Vegas, a vote will be held on Friday to decide the CFLPAs presidency and other executive positions. Cheap Wholesale New Balance . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit. http://www.newbalanceoutletuk.com/ . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres.MONTREAL -- Theyve composed chants just for Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, roared for her until they went hoarse, and toasted her wins by fudging their way through "O Canada." Meet the "Genie Army" -- a dozen boisterous Aussies who, despite boasting zero connection to Canada, have become Bouchards unofficial cheerleaders at the Australian Open. Members of the weeks-old squad have jumped, danced and serenaded their way into an unmistakable grandstand presence during the Montreal teens impressive run at the event, where she has earned a semifinal spot Thursday. The devotees, mostly men in their 20s, have also fashioned red-and-white T-shirts that spell out Bouchards name, flapped banners for her during matches, and lobbed plush animals -- each of them native to Australia -- to her on the court following each of her victories. Though they have had little face-to-face interaction with Bouchard, they have certainly commanded her attention in Melbourne. "The crowd here has been amazing, especially the Genie Army," Bouchard, 19, said Tuesday during an on-court interview after beating Ana Ivanovic. She then pointed up to her noisy, personal cheering section. "Ive had so much fun. Thank you guys." The inspiration behind a brigade dedicated to Bouchard came after a bunch of Australian buddies watched her upset Ivanovic last year at Wimbledon, said one of the Army members. In December, as the Australian Open approached, Jacob Wright said the crew decided to become her own booster club, so they started making shirts and penning Bouchard chants. The Genie Army was born. "Shes just a great tennis player," Wright, 20, told The Canadian Press in a Skype interview from Melbourne. "Obviously, shes a good-looking girl as well, and were young guys, but she is a really good tennis player. Its really, really good fun to watch." Their movement has had nothing to do with patriotism, either. When asked whether any of them had a connection to Canada, he replied: "None of us." Wright said they caught Bouchards attention during her first-round match, which was held on a more-intimate court that brings fans closer to the players. Six of them showed up for the event and were lucky enough to have their photos taken with Bouchard, get her autograph, and exchange a few words with their favourite player after the victory. The Genie Army nation was thrilled, Wright added, when Bouchard later told an interviewer she hoped they would show up for her next match. They havent missed one since -- and their ranks have doubled to about 112. New Balance Outlet Uk. Wright said it has been a bit of a give-and-take relationship, with Bouchard thanking her believers in interviews and by making gestures, such as posting a couple of photos of them on her Twitter feed. The connection likely hit its only bumpy patch on Tuesday when she was asked in a post-match interview about who she would like to date, if she could choose anyone in the world. An embarrassed Bouchard, who appeared to be taken off guard by the question, blurted out the name of Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. In TV footage, members of the Genie Army were shown waving off her choice. They remain committed, however, to backing Bouchard for the long haul, even if they initially didnt expect it to last. Wright admitted they never predicted Bouchard, the tournaments 30th seed, would advance to the semifinal, but theyve enjoyed the longer-than-expected ride. Bouchard, in fact, became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 30 years. "My voice doesnt usually sound like this, Im pretty husky from a week of just full-on yelling as loud as I can," said Wright, who was wearing a white T-shirt with a red Maple Leaf and a Bouchard autograph. "But yeah, weve just been yelling, chanting -- and overall the response from the crowds been really good." He said group members have also been surprised by the notoriety theyve amassed throughout the tournament, growing so big that they have been interviewed by media outlets and have frequently been asked to pose for photos with other fans. "Well be standing there for 20 minutes or something (after matches)," said Wright, whose group has an online presence on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, where .GenieArmy was trending after Tuesdays win. "Its getting really full of fun." But their primary mission has not changed since Day 1: support Bouchard. During her matches, the crew can be heard belting out custom chants from the bleachers, including a fight song usually reserved for when she first steps onto the hardcourt. "We are the Army, the Genie Army, and we are mental, and we are mad," a clapping Wright chanted as he began a demonstration of the mantra. The gang has even sung the Canadian national anthem, though Wright admits only a couple of them know the words. The first time they attempted "O Canada," he said they received some welcome help from Canadian fans in the crowd. "We started it off, but then we had a lot of Canadians around us, so they sort of finished it off for us," Wright said. "It wasnt a very good rendition." ' ' '