News » now in the hands of the Player Safety Committee

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. Mr. Fraser, I think everyone would like to hear your opinion on what sort of suspension Zac Rinaldo should get. His comment after the game of I changed the whole game, man. Who knows what the game would have been like if I didnt do what I did? not only suggests that he doesnt have any remorse for his actions, but perhaps that hes proud of them. Combining that statement with his history and a reasonable person could believe that he intended to cause injury. Certainly his history is very similar to that of Matt Cooke circa 2011, and this hit looks just as dangerous (if not more so) than the one that got Cooke a season-ending suspension then. Would you expect a similar punishment at this point? Joseph in Colorado Joseph: My opinion is that minimal suspensions (one, two or three games) are not a sufficient deterrent for players to avoid making dangerous hits that can, and often do result in injury! The Philadelphia Flyers are a proud but desperate hockey club. They have dug a huge hole for themselves that will be very difficult, if not impossible to overcome this season. But like a proud fighter that is on the ropes and unwilling to go down, the Flyers have plenty of fight left in them. They came out swinging once the fuse was lit after Zac Rinaldo ran Kris Letang from behind into the boards. While I have to question the very poor judgment Rinaldo displayed for making this dangerous hit on Letang he spoke nothing but the truth, that his actions did in fact change the whole complexion of the game. Probably not the most intelligent thing to do either! Rinaldo has been extended the courtesy of an in-person hearing with the Player Safety Committee for any suspension that can exceed five games. While Rinaldos post-game comments certainly wont help his defence, the length of suspension will be determined based on the circumstance surrounding the hit, the resulting injury to Letang and Rinaldos past history. The evidence that must be considered is that the illegal hit was very late (Letang did not have the puck), Letang was facing the boards in a defenceless position, Rinaldo elevated and left his feet through the illegal hit, the contact was made to the back of Letang and resulted in injury to the Pittsburgh player (Letang did not return to the game). This is boarding and the correct call was made on the ice by the referee to assess a major and game misconduct penalty. Rinaldos fate is now in the hands of the Player Safety Committee but I dont think he has quite entered Matt Cooke circa 2011 territory, although he is certainly moving in that direction. My guess is this incident will fall somewhere in line with Daniel Carcillos recent suspension of six games. The Flyers and Penguins have established an intense modern day rivalry that boiled over in a playoff game in Philadelphia a couple of years ago when Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang engaged in fights with Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen during a stoppage in play. This latest incident and game between these two teams has only escalated the hostilities they feel for one another. The next home-and-home meeting between these two teams is on April 1 in Pittsburgh and then back in Philly four days later. Unless Rinaldo is involved in a subsequent incident worthy of suspension prior to those meetings, he will most likely make a statement of sorts in an attempt to change those games as well. Players like Rinaldo, Carcillo, Cooke (circa 2011) and others just see it as their role and responsibility. Ernie Stautner Jersey .C. -- Steve Spurrier was much happier about South Carolinas improved performance than about his lastest career milestone. Terrell Edmunds Jersey . -- Jacksonville Jaguars rookie receiver Marqise Lee has agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth more than $5 million. http://www.authenticsteelerspro.com/Mike-wagner-steelers-jersey/ . Team officials travelled to Los Angeles on Thursday night to meet with the free agent, a person with knowledge of the plans said. Mel Blount Jersey . A little more than one year after missing a last-second tip-in that would have given the Wolverines a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, the 6-foot-8 forward scored on a layup with 7. Terry Bradshaw Jersey . -- A 25-year-old freelance journalist from British Columbia was formally charged on Thursday with a felony, five days after she was arrested in the United States over allegations she threatened to kill her hockey player boyfriend.DORTMUND, Germany -- Borussia Dortmund is in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the second consecutive season -- although it looks far less intimidating than the team that reached the final last year. Crippled by a series of injuries to key players and struggling at home this season, Dortmund was far from convincing in a 2-1 defeat to Zenit on Wednesday. However, the 4-2 victory in the first leg in St. Petersburg was enough for Juergen Klopps side to win 5-4 on aggregate and seal its place in Fridays draw. Hulk scored in the 16th for Zenit and captain Sebastian Kehl equalized for Dortmund in the 38th. Substitute Jose Rondon scored with a diving header in the 73rd to seal Zenits win on the night, though it was an empty victory. Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller turned away a late shot by Igor Smolnikov to prevent an even bigger defeat. In the nights other match, Manchester United advanced with a 3-0 win over Olympiakos, courtesy of a hat trick by Robin van Persie and a 3-2 victory on aggregate. "We surely didnt play a great game but we are in the quarterfinals," Kehl said. "That goal by Kehl allowed us to calm down," said Klopp, who acknowledged the quality of the Russian side. "They can really play and they gave us some problems." Dortmund will be without striker Robert Lewandowski for the first leg of the quarterfinals after he picked up his third yellow card of the competition for handling the ball. "I thought I had been pushed from behind and thats why handled the ball," Lewandowski said. &quuot;The main thing is that we went through.dddddddddddd." "The yellow card was laughable," Klopp said. With its comfortable lead from the first leg, Dortmund allowed Zenit to get into the match quickly, through a spectacular solo effort by Hulk. The Brazil striker shook off Kehl and cut inside past two defenders to blast a left-foot shot that swerved away from goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller on its way into the net. Zenit threatened a couple more times before Kehl got the equalizer. Marcel Schmelzer broke down the left flank and swung in a high cross. Kehl raced into the area and rose above the defence to send in a header that keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev got both hands to -- but could only push into the net. It was the captains first Champions League goal in 30 matches. "They have some good players up front but we didnt allow them too many chances," Kehl said. Early in the second half, Hulk unleashed a fierce free kick from about 30 metres (yards) that sailed high. Rondon scored Zenits second following a cross by Domenico Criscito from just outside the penalty area on the left -- evading defender Mats Hummels to head home from close range. Zenit, coached by Sergei Semak on an interim basis until Andre Villas-Boas takes over when the team returns home, kept up the pressure and Igor Smolnikov sent a low shot that Weidenfeller barely managed to turn away in the 88th. The last time Dortmund made it to the last eight in two straight seasons was 16 years ago. It won the title in 1997 and then reached the semifinals. Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '