Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Adrian Clayborn Jersey .ca! Dear Mr. Fraser: Love the column! The amount of hockey rules I have learned from Cmon Ref! is unreal, keep it up! Now heres my question. Near the end of the second period of the Oilers-Jets season-opening game, a fight broke out between Luke Gazdic and Chris Thorburn. I noticed that while gaining positional advantage in the fight, it appeared that Gazdic knocked off his own helmet. My understanding is that if you take off your own helmet (recently exploited by a couple of quick-witted tough guys) you will get a two-minute minor on top of the five-minute fighting major. In my opinion, the helmet was already falling off and Gazdic was having issues with his vision. Seeing as this is a new rule and its gotten some criticism, could you maybe shed some light on how it works and why these loopholes seem to be appearing? Thanks,Jordan BarrassEdmonton, AB Jordan: Thank you for being a regular student in the Cmon Ref classroom where the learning never stops for all of us! The overriding spirit and intent of rule 46.6 is to provide an element of safety to players that engage in fisticuffs. In "staged" fights or where a challenge is issued and combat is mutually agreed upon by heavyweights the removal of helmets (and elbow pads) can even provide bad optics in the marketing of the game beyond just the obvious safety issues. Taking an additional two minute penalty (removing helmet) or the potential for breaking a hand by punching a helmet and visor might (and I stress "might") act as some form of deterrent to fighting in general for some. The black and white of rule 46.6 reads: "No player may remove his helmet prior to engaging in a fight. If he should do so, he shall be assessed a two minute minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Helmets that come off in the course of and resulting form the altercation will not result in a penalty to either player." The language of the rule is very clear that the minor penalty applies when a player removes his helmet prior to engaging in a fight! Luke Gazdic and Chris Thorburn were fully engaged in close quarters when Gazdic was bent over by Thornburn and placed in a vulnerable position. Perhaps Gazdic felt his helmet was restricting him in some way or was falling off as you suggest Jordan. For whatever reason, Gazdic quickly flipped off his helmet in one quick motion in the course of and resulting from the altercation as the exemption in the rule states. This, like all new rules, will be closely monitored by the Hockey Operations, Officiating Department and Player Safety personnel. If players do things deliberately to circumvent the spirit of the rule, adjustments will be made and the Officials standard enforcement will be altered. "Loopholes" are already being closed. Direction has been given for the Officials to assess minor penalties where opposing players grab onto chin straps and remove each others helmet in an obvious ploy to circumvent the rule. There will be growing pains in this rule and others that will be addressed as this young season progresses. It is also important for you to note that as a result of this new helmet removal rule the additional minor penalty for instigating a penalty while wearing a visor is no longer in effect. Welcome back everyone for what promises to be a terrific NHL hockey season. Jeremy Hill Jersey . This week, topics cover the World Series champion Red Sox, John Farrell and what to look forward to this off-season. Adrian Clayborn Patriots Jersey .S. womens soccer team to a 2-0 win over China in Colorado in the afternoon. http://www.authenticpatriotsfanatic.com/c-116-patriots-troy-niklas-jersey.aspx . The game had many controversial incidents that, upon closer inspection, were not as controversial as many believed. The Formations Toronto FC lined up in its usual 4-4-2 formation, with Nick Hagglund slotting in at right fullback and Bradley Orr at centreback in place of the injured Mark Bloom and Steven Caldwell, respectively.ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Houston Astros saw a completely different Jered Weaver than the one they faced 6 1/2 weeks ago at Minute Maid Park, when they hit four home runs off him. The Los Angeles Angels ace pitched a two-hitter Wednesday night in the rematch, posting his first complete game in nearly two years, and Albert Pujols hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth to lead the Halos to a 2-1 victory. "Those guys roughed me up a little bit at their place, so I wanted to come in here and have a good game and keep us in it as much as possible," Weaver said. "Their guy was throwing a good game, too. So it was nice to come out on top." Weaver (5-3) threw 94 pitches while going the distance for the 12th time in 241 career starts and first time since Aug. 6, 2012, when he beat the Athletics 4-0 with a four-hitter at Oakland. "It was definitely exciting to run out there for the ninth and hear the fans," Weaver said. "Thats what you pitch for -- to go deep into games and finish it off." Weaver struck out five, walked one and retired 17 of his last 19 batters -- including 10 straight after giving up a leadoff homer to George Springer in the fourth. The three-time All-Star is 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA over his last seven starts. Weaver hit Springer with a pitch with one out in the ninth, then picked him off after getting a sign from manager Mike Scioscia in the dugout. He got the final out by retiring Dexter Fowler on a popup to third base. "In that situation, Im not really worried about baserunners. But Scioscia called a great pickoff there," Weaver said. "Usually when I look over, I can see a little bit of the runner. But when I looked over before that pick, I couldnt see him. So I figured he was off the bag pretty good. I just made a good quick move, and that definitely took a lot of pressure off." Weaver threw a called third strike to Jason Castro in the fourth for his 1,281st career strikeout, overtaking Mike Witt on the Angels career list behind Nolan Ryan and Chuck Finley. "I didnt even know that I was coming up on any milestone like that at all," Weaver said. "I think I threw strrikeouts out the door maybe two years ago. Jordan Matthews Patriots Jersey. I mean, its great when youre young and you just want to go out there and try to strike everybody out. But then you realize that getting early outs is just as important and it helps you get deeper in games." Collin McHugh (2-3) lost his third straight decision over four starts despite allowing just two runs and four hits in seven innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two. Erick Aybar drove in the Angels other run with a third-inning single. "You know coming into it that Weavers arguably one of if not the best pitchers in this league," McHugh said. "So you know that youre not going to be able to give up a lot and that its going to be a dogfight." Pujols who homered twice on Sunday against Tampa Bay ace David Price, drove a 2-1 pitch into the top tier of the double-decker bullpen in left field for his 13th homer this season and 505th of his career to surpass Eddie Murray for 25th place on the career list. On hand to see it was Air Force staff sergeant Tom Sherrill of Pomona, California, who came up with Pujols 500th home run ball on April 22 at Nationals Park in Washington. "What I did two or three weeks ago, I put that in the past. Ive flipped the page," Pujols said. "My goal is to try to concentrate on whats in front of me and help this organization win. I dont get caught up too much in numbers." NOTES: The jockey and trainer for Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome -- Victor Espinoza and Art Sherman -- each threw out a ceremonial first pitch. ... Angels CF Mike Trout missed his first game of the season because of a sore left hamstring, but was available to pinch-hit if necessary. He expects to be back in the lineup Friday night for the start of a three-game series with Kansas City. Collin Cowgill started in CF for the third time this season and robbed Jose Altuve of a hit with a diving catch of his shallow flyball leading off the game. Altuve was 0 for 4, ending his career-best 12-game hitting streak. ...... Pujols had 43 home runs against the Astros, tying Aramis Ramirez for the most among active players. Cheap Canadiens Jerseys Cheap Predators Jerseys Cheap Devils Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Cheap Rangers Jerseys Cheap Senators Jerseys Cheap Flyers Jerseys Cheap Penguins Jerseys Cheap Sharks Jerseys Cheap Blues Jerseys Cheap Lightning Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Cheap Canucks Jerseys Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Capitals Jerseys Cheap Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '
