Drake Bell » e gesture during last Sundays NFC cham

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. Dear Kerry, I was watching the fourth goal for the Islanders in the game against the Leafs, it seemed the Leafs goalie Bernier had the puck covered and the referee blew the whistle raised his arms in the air to signal the play was dead and then moments later signaled good goal. On the overhead replay, you could see the puck cross the line before the whistle, however it seems to me that the referee thought the puck was covered and intended to blow the play dead as he blew the whistle before ever seeing the puck free. Would this fall under the intent to blow the play dead under Rule 31.2: "As there is a human factor involved in blowing the whistle to stop play, the Referee may deem the play to be stopped slightly prior to the whistle actually being blown. The fact that the puck may come loose or cross the goal line prior to the sound of the whistle has no bearing if the referee has ruled that the play had been stopped prior to this happening." Look forwards to hearing your take on the play. Jordan Anstey --- Hi Kerry, I have a question regarding the Leaf/Islanders game. The Islanders just tied the game 4-4 on a questionable goal, in my opinion. The puck was never frozen by Bernier, as it rolled across the goal line. The referee at the crease blew his whistle, waved it dead and then immediately pointed to the puck in the net. How on earth can you blow the play dead and then reverse it? That shouldnt have counted! Please correct me if I am wrong. Best Regards,Dale Jordan and Dale: Referee Denis LaRue did everything correctly from the moment he attacked the net with speed and eventually located the puck across the goal line the goal line behind Jonathan Bernier. Any evidence or question of the referees "intent to blow the whistle" would have resulted from the fact that he could not see the puck as he approached the net and therefore might have assumed it was frozen under Berniers equipment (puck out of sight). The referee demonstrated patience in not blowing the whistle pre-maturely as he continued on a path toward the goal crease in an effort to find the puck. Once referee LaRue got to the net he did in fact locate the puck across the goal line almost simultaneously with his decision to kill the play. This visual picture was quickly processed and abruptly changed any thought he might have had that the puck was frozen. The puck in the net was now a reality for the referee. As such, Denis LaRues hands immediately went from the field goal position signaling "play is dead" to pointing into the net signaling that a legal goal had been scored! This visual evidence demonstrated and confirmed to the referee that the puck had entered the net prior to his whistle and any "intent" he might have had to blow the play dead. It is somewhat speculative to assume the puck is frozen just because you dont see it. Definitive evidence is presented whenever the referee sees the puck across the goal line. A legal goal must be based on that evidence. Far too many times I have seen referees misjudge plays in and around the goal crease when they remained stationary in the corner or kept an obstructed view without moving their feet. Had it not been for LaRues quick reaction this could have been just another one of those unfortunate times. On the play Travis Hamonics shot from the point was deflected by Carl Gunnarsson and picked up behind the goal line half way to the corner by Ryan Strome. This altered puck position forced the referee to retreat to the corner just ahead of the goal line. Strome then threw the puck to the front of the net and it was redirected by Anders Lee between Berniers pads. Rather than remain in the corner, Referee LaRue read the situation and reacted without hesitation by sprinting to the net on angle that allowed him to avoid Nazim Kadri and Ryan Strome. En route to the net the refs inability to immediately locate the puck, along with his instinct and experience might have caused him to think the puck was underneath Jonathan Bernier. LaRues patience with the whistle and his quick footed attack toward the net to locate the puck behind Bernier resulted in the correct call to allow the goal scored by Anders Lee to stand. In this situation the referee demonstrated a text book attack of the net in order to render the correct call. Ronnie Lott Jersey . Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Buddy Robinson scored 43 seconds apart in the second period to lead the Binghamton Senators to a 4-1 victory over the Bulldogs in American Hockey League action Friday night at the Bell Centre. Joe Montana Jersey .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday. http://www.authenticsf49erspro.com/Jerry-rice-49ers-jersey/. -- LeBron James warned the Orlando Magic to stop double-teaming him and ignoring James Jones. Patrick Willis Jersey . In Englands first game since its worst-ever World Cup showing, Roy Hodgsons side rarely looked like scoring against unambitious opposition and the breakthrough in the friendly only came when Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area. Y.A. Tittle Jersey .com) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to win two straight games for the first time since mid-January on Monday night as they play host to the struggling New York Islanders.Darren Fletcher wants Hampden Park rocking for the visit of Lithuania as Scotland aim to make the national stadium a fortress during their World Cup qualifying campaign. Scotland go into their first home qualifier on a high following their 5-1 triumph in Malta and Fletcher wants to see that reflected in the stands.The captain recognises the threat posed by the improving visitors and has urged his team-mates and the Tartan Army to take the initiative on Saturday. The West Brom midfielder said: The expectations should be that we go and win the game. Our fans expect a lot of us and thats great.But the biggest thing is to get behind us and support us and help us achieve that. We need everyone pushing together. A 19-year-old Darren Fletcher scores for Scotland against Lithuania in October, 2003 We need Hampden rocking, we need to make it a fortress, a place that teams dont like to come.Thats a combination of us going out there and setting a tempo and the fans getting behind us as well. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Look, we are going in to win the game as we do every game.dddddddddddd We have always got a game plan to win.We are expected to win and to take the game to the opposition, and we will do that, but we do have to be cautious as well. Its a long 90 minutes. Fletcher will make his 75th international appearance against the team that were on the receiving end of his first Scotland goal.The-then 19-year-old volleyed home the only goal of a tight contest in October 2003, which set up a European Championship play-off against Holland.Fletcher added: Its one of five goals so its high up there, to score on your home debut, to come off the bench and score a winner to take you to the play-offs, it was a fantastic moment. We need Hampden rocking, we need to make it a fortress, a place that teams dont like to come. Darren Fletcher I look back on it with great pride when I see it. I will look back on these things at the end of my career but right now its all about qualifying, thats what all my energy and focus are going on.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Strachan spoilt for choice McAllister gives Scots a boost World Cup section Features ' ' '