DS Talk » ks taken by Sergio Garcia, but the defender beat

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 Mr. Fraser, Im a fan of the column as you put a good perspective on some of the crazy reffing that goes on. I would love to know how Torontos Stephane Robidas isnt suspended for elbowing Vancouvers Shawn Matthias in the head with a dirty blatant elbow this past Saturday. Now Vancouver has one of its hottest players out with a concussion. Its pretty infuriating when we see Alex Burrows get two games for a much less dangerous hit, then Robidas gets away with a dirty, blatant elbow to the head. Whats wrong with this league? Ted Goodsell Airdrie, Alberta Ted: You are one of four fans that dropped this question in the Cmon Ref mail bag just last night who are curious as to why no suspension was imposed to Stephane Robidas after he elbowed Shawn Matthias in a play that resulted in concussion-like symptoms to the Vancouver player. The Player Safety Committee has a series of criteria to determine a hit they deem to be worthy of a suspension. You can find various examples and explanations in tutorial videos contained on the NHL.com player safety website. The committee, headed by Stephane Quintal, attempt to rule in a fair and consistent manner based on the criteria they have been handed. This is certainly no easy task and every decision (or non-decision) they make is closely scrutinized by team personnel, the media and fans alike. Every play is different and must be judged on its own merit. In many situations it appears to me that too narrow a margin exists between determining an illegal play worthy of a penalty imposed by the referee in the game or elevated to a suspension after the fact with regard to player safety. Even though this was an elbow infraction, rule 48 is the modern day standard bearer for illegal contact to the head. The rule provides a list of criteria that not only defines an illegal check to the head but offers caveats or exemptions that carry forward and become part of the criteria used by the Player Safety Committee to determine suspensions. Critical to their consideration is if an opponents head was the main point of contact and especially whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponents body and the head was not picked as a result of poor timing, poor angle of approach, or unnecessary extension of the body upward or outward. This is certainly an abundance of verbiage to digest when breaking down hits that result in varying degrees of contact to the head of a player. It is my opinion that too many caveats are being considered for not suspending a player when significant contact to the head results from a high, illegal hit. As we look at a couple of different angles when Robidas initiated contact with Matthias we are presented with evidence that would most likely have been strongly considered by the P.S.C. to determine a suspension was not warranted to the Toronto player. The camera shot from the stands, looking through the back of Matthias, indicates that Robidas elevated arm/elbow appears to make initial contact just below the chin (neck area) of the Vancouver player. As Robidas initiates contact his upper body slides off the centre mass of his opponent and results in Matthias head becoming the main point of contact with the right-back shoulder and upper tricep of Robidas. The cross ice shot is somewhat more incriminating that the elbow did some residual damage but it can be argued that Robidas elbow rode up after making initial contact below the chin. In the eye and mind of those responsible for determining a suspension this becomes an illegal elbow worthy of a minor penalty and does not cross the line of the criteria they utilize for the purpose of suspension. Some (or even many of us) wont agree with the rationale or criteria currently being utilized to determine a suspension. Many would suggest it falls short in an effort to hold players accountable for high hits that result in various degrees of contact to the head of an opponent and can result in injury. The General Managers are presently meeting and can recommend changes to this process if they deem them to be warranted. Its their stick and puck and until such time as changes are made it will be business as usual. I wish Shawn Matthias a full and speedy recovery. Cleveland Browns Jerseys . Granada goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez saved Morenos first two headers from corner kicks taken by Sergio Garcia, but the defender beat him on his third try after Garcia found Moreno unmarked at the near post in the 78th minute. Bernie Kosar Youth Jersey . Over the course of his career Glenn is 79-71-1 in 151 starts for a .526 career winning percentage. Since becoming a Stampeder, he has elevated his play and raised his stock around the league. http://www.footballbrownsnflprostore.com...r-Elite-Jersey/. Moors, from Cambridge Ont., landed a double-twisting, double somersault in the layout position, en route to a score of 14.600 points in the womens floor exercise, more than a full point ahead of runner-up Pia Tolle of Germany. Sheldrick Redwine Youth Jersey . The time off didnt slow them down. Tyler Zeller scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds, Kyrie Irving added 14 points and the Cavaliers pushed their winning streak to five games Tuesday night with a 114-85 victory over the skidding Philadelphia 76ers. Austin Seibert Womens Jersey . -- Cordell Cato scored his first goal of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes survived a full half playing a man down to beat FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night.Stoke boss Mark Hughes has once again come out in support of under-fire goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard as he considers his selection options for the Monday Night Football clash with Tottenham. Haugaard has replaced the injured Jack Butland in the last two games - his first appearances in the Premier League - and conceded six goals in the process.After the first of those matches, a 2-2 home draw with Swansea on April 2, Hughes stood by his decision to select the 23-year-old Dane ahead of veteran Shay Given, describing Haugaards performance as excellent. Mark Hughes and his Stoke City side left Anfield empty-handed after they lost 4-1 Since then, the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday has led to speculation over whether 39-year-old Given might come into the starting line-up for the visit of title-chasing Spurs to the Britannia Stadium, with the Irishman insisting he is ready to play if called upon.Hughes did not rule out a change in personnel but pointed to the example of former Potters goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who conceded seven in his first appearance for the club before becoming a star performer, as he gave Haugaard further backing.Jakob has had a run in the side and we talked about the game last week, said Hughes.We discussed all elements of it and for the most part I have been pleased with what he has done. He is a young goalkeeper, and he is learning about the Premier League. You have to experience it before you understand the intensity, so that is why it was right to give him the opportunity.Some of the guys were talking about the time that Asmir Begovic started to get games in the Premier League at Stoke. He had difficult games that didnt go quite to plan, but you see how he has come through.A little bit of focus has been on that position, but Im quite comfortable with where we are with it.As always, I have the benefit of good goalkeepers in the building, so if I decide to make a change, then Im quite comfortable with that.But at the moment, Jakob needs the experience and the opportunity to play. Goals from Alberto Moreno, Daniel Sturridge and two for Divock Origi saw Liverpool thrash Stoke Stoke hope to have forward Marko Arnautovic and midfielder Glenn Whelan available for the Tottenham match after they missed the Liverpool defeat due to knee and back problems, respectively.ddddddddddddCaptain Ryan Shawcross is also expected to be able to feature after he made his return to action at Anfield from a lay-off with a back issue of his own. Shawcross wants Leicester title Ryan Shawcross wants Leicester City to win the Premier League But fellow defender Marc Muniesa is a doubt having suffered a knock in training, and full-back Erik Pieters cannot play as he begins a two-match suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards.Hughes and Pieters exchanged words late in the defeat at Anfield, with the player substituted shortly after and notably not exchanging even a glance with his manager.It was just one of those moments in games, Hughes said of the incident. I have spoken to Erik about it since. It is not an issue. On the day I just felt his performance level wasnt quite where it needed to be, and that is the top and bottom of it really.We have talked it through and he understands my position and I understand what he was trying to say on the pitch. We move on.He knows who the boss is.Watch Stoke v Tottenham on Monday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 7pm. Also See: Given: Im ready if needed Shawcross wants Leicester title Ref switched from Spurs game Stoke City fixtures ' ' '