Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Zach Randolph Jersey .ca. Mr. Fraser, In the PIT/NYR Round 2 series, there have been two separate occasions where Marc Staal has taken blatant shots to the head of Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby. In Game 3, Staal hit Crosby with a viscous crosscheck to the back of the head. I was shocked that a penalty wasnt even called on the ice! The league then came out the following day and said that no punishment would be handed down for the hit. The following night, in Game 4, Staal again went after Crosbys head. This time it was a blatant elbow. Again, it was from behind, to the back of the head, nearly knocking the helmet off Crosbys head. Again, there was no call on the ice, and no action taken by the league. Can you explain to me how the league and officials, in this era of "no tolerance" for hits to the head, can allow this kind of thing to go on? How can there be no call on the ice? Obviously, since there was no action for the league, or penalty called, in Game 3, Staal figured he was cleared to do it again in Game 4. I mean, if the NHL doesnt care about the well-being of its marquee players, why should Staal? Thanks for listening. Any light you can shed on this subject would be great! John Waclo John: The cross-check that Marc Staal delivered on Sidney Crosby was well beyond just a minor infraction (Video link) and worthy of at least a five-minute major and game misconduct. This aggressive cross-check delivered to the head area could not be considered an effort by a defensive player to contain, engage in a battle in battle or to clear an opponent from the front of the net. The blow did not start at the name plate on the back of the jersey and then rode up to the neck and back of the helmet. This forceful, full-arm extension cross-check went directly to the back of the neck/head of Crosby and should be considered an attempt to injure and worthy of a match penalty under rule 59.4. For the sake of argument lets reverse the body position of Crosby where he and Staal are face-to-face. If that same force is delivered to the neck and chin of Sid he will most likely be spitting blood, chicklets and perhaps even incur another broken jaw. I would sincerely hope that a match penalty would be assessed in that case and a player would be suspended for cross-checking an opponent in the face! I see a deliberate and forceful cross-check to the back of a players neck and head to be similarly dangerous regardless of the fact it was delivered on a player with a well-documented history of concussions. If you want to see an "old school" hit take a look at the major and game misconduct I assessed to Darian Hatcher in a game in Dallas just prior to the playoffs, when he delivered an elbow to the face of Jeremy Roenick. Roenicks jaw was dislocated, broken in three places and he had eight teeth cracked or broken. Roenick approached me on the ice spitting blood and teeth with his jaw wagging in the breeze as he attempted to say, "He broke my f----n jaw!" Hatcher was suspended for seven games (including the Stars first five playoff games) by Colin Campbell for the illegal hit. See it here. John, you ask how these types of plays can be missed. The answer is there are too many "puck watchers" wearing stripes in these playoffs. Player safety is placed in jeopardy when these aggressive fouls are allowed to go un-penalized. This isnt "old school" officiating; just a lack of awareness. Cheap Memphis Grizzlies Jerseys . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted Monday morning that Callahan - who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is now open to a six-year contract at less than $7 million per season. Jarell Martin Jersey . Fognini won 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 after Argentinas Carlos Berlocq had beaten Andreas Seppi 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 on the outdoor clay surface. Doubles are set for Saturday with reverse singles on Sunday to decide which team reaches the quarterfinals. http://www.grizzliesbasketballpro.info/Jevon-Carter-Grizzlies-Jersey/ . Then youve got to worry about the other up and coming teams in the two weaker divisions in the "Junior Circuit".Former Tottenham Hotspur, Jermain Defoe - in hopes of making Englands squad for the upcoming World Cup - saw MLS as his best showcase. Michael Bradley, who some argue to be the strongest American player in the world, also left soccers more glamorous European stage, departing AS Roma for more playing time in preparation for Brazil this coming summer. This weekend saw both players delivering on their marquee reputations in front of a sold out crowd at TFCs BMO Field. Defoe maintained his status as the sole goal scorer of the team, netting his third of the season, while Bradleys midfield presence and decisive passing continues to impress. A second-half collision forced Bradley to leave the field, only to return with his head semi- mummified with blood soaked bandages, displaying a trait that will undoubtedly endear him to Canadian fans. BarDown went to the game to bring the sights both on and off the field. Take a look. (All photos by Paul Harrington for TSN/BarDown) 1. Fans watch TFC players warm up before the teams home opener at Torontos BMO Field, Saturday, March 22nd, 2014. 2. Dwayne De Rosario puts hand-to-heart while the national anthem plays, in preparation for the home opener to start. 3. Coaching staff cheer on players as the home opener kicks off against DC United. 4. The off-seasons roster additions and a successful first away-game bring a sold-out crowd of 22,591 to the first home game of TFCs 2014 campaign. 5. Brazilian striker Gilberto participates in his TFC debut after missing the season starter with a leg injury. Gilberto brought speed and was an integral contributor to the one goal of the day. 6. TFCs English Premier League import, Jermain Defoe, takes the ball upfield. 7. Jermain Defoe fights Perry Kitchen for a header while TFCs Michael Bradley and DC Uniteds Nick DeLeon watch on. 8. The scoreless first half comes to a close as fans in the North East section of BMO Field endure cool temperatures to support the home team. 9. TFCs Michael Bradley takes a kick from midfield. Bradleey came to the team via Roma of the Serie A, and has so far performed as advertised, being a dominant midfielder. Shareef Abdur-Rahim Jersey. 10. DC Uniteds goalkeeper, Bill Hamid, lunges to launch the ball back into play. Defoe described Hamids play during the home opener as "amazing," stopping 13 of the 14 shots he faced. 11. Players from both teams gather as TFCs Doneil Henry argues with the referee during the teams home opener. 12/13. Fans of the south side stands enjoy the second half. 14. The sun makes its appearance as TFCs Jermain Defoe watches the ball roll past DC Uniteds goalkeeper, Bill Hamid, and defenders Sean Franklin and Bobby Boswell. Defoe leads the team with all three goals scored so far in the 2014 season and was credited with half the 14 shots taken by TFC in the game. 15. Fans of the south east corner of BMO Field known as the Red Patch Boys celebrate Defoes goal by throwing fake money in the air, a means of representing the big money the team spent on bringing in imported talent at any cost. 16. Players gather to celebrate the first and only goal of the game. 17. South end supporters rejoice after the home squad takes a 1-0 lead by unleashing red smoke. 18. Hometown favourite, Dwayne De Rosario, is subbed into the game in the second half. De Rosario is a former TFC player who re-signed with the team early this year after stops in New York, playing for the Red Bulls, as well as DC United. 19. Players gather on the field and celebrate with fans after the game ends with a 1-0 win. 20. Michael Bradley leaves the field applauding an enthusiastic fan-base. A head-to-head collision with DCs Davy Arnaud led to a wound later repaired with staples. After the game, Defoe said of Bradley, "He gives everything, every game. Mikes winning mentality and his energy lifts the team…" 21. TFCs Jermain Defoe speaks with a reporter after the game. His legs display a hard played game, having taken 7 shots and netting a goal, his third in two games of the 2014 season. Authentic Nike Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Tennessee Titans Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Washington Redskins Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Arizona Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Denver Broncos Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Green Bay Packers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike New England Patriots Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Oakland Raiders Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Seattle Seahawks Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Carolina Panthers Jerseys Cheap Authentic Nike Cleveland Browns Jerseys Cheap Cheap Throwback Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Atlanta Braves Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Baltimore Orioles Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Boston Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago Cubs Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Chicago White Sox Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cincinnati Reds Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Cleveland Indians Jerseys ' ' '