are limited at running back and will have to place their fait

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, 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. Air Max 95 Wholesale Canada . At times during a solid but not spectacular season, they looked all three. 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That assertion is getting harder and harder to make, especially given the way 23-year-old Danilo Gallinari has been playing this season.Denver Broncos will be without head coach Gary Kubiak, who suffered a complex migraine on Sunday, at San Diego as they look to bounce back from their 23-16 week five loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos were undone on Sunday night as the Falcons used their running backs in wide positions, matching them up against linebackers who could not keep pace, and avoiding throwing deep to the Denver secondary, which has had so much success this season already. Highlights of the Denver Broncos 23-16 week five defeat to the Atlanta Falcons Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis will take charge in place of Kubiak, but it will be up to coordinators Wade Phillips and Rick Dennison to call the plays. Fan predictions: Graves v the Eagles This week Richard Graves makes his picks against our Eagles fan It has been a tough season for the 1-4 San Diego Chargers, who have led late on in every game this season. In two of those losses, the Chargers held a 99.9% statistical chance of winning at some point in the fourth quarter. San Diego have found ways to lose in multiple scenarios, from lost fumbles and costly interceptions to muffed field goal snaps. Highlights of the San Diego Chargers 34-31 defeat tto the Oakland Raiders in week five As well as this apparent inability to see out a win under pressure, the team have suffered multiple injuries to key players, most notably on offence.dddddddddddd Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson, as well as running back Danny Woodhead, join 22 other players on injured reserve already this season.Chargers head coach Mike McCoy is facing increased pressure, and could be playing for his job against the Broncos. As a quarterback, McCoy signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent, but was cut during the preseason. He has also served as offensive coordinator in Denver, before taking the head coach position in San Diego. Mike McCoy finds himself under pressure after a disappointing campaign in San Diego Broncos starting quarterback Trevor Siemian is expected to feature from the off, having missed the last game and a half with a shoulder injury. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware will likely miss the trip as he continues to recover from a fractured forearm.The Chargers have lost 10 straight AFC West games, tying a franchise record that goes back to 1998. They face a difficult task against the reigning Super Bowl champions, but should be encouraged by the performances shown in the first three quarters of matches.They have the edge at quarterback, with Phillip Rivers continuing to deliver impressive and, if they can hold their nerve down the stretch, could deliver Denvers second straight loss. Philip Rivers and the Chargers offence is second in the NFL for points per game, but is 1-4 after critical errors Key match upsAqib Talib v Travis BenjaminThe secret to Atlantas success was avoiding Talib, who already has three interceptions this season. However without Woodhead, the Chargers are limited at running back and will have to place their faith in their leading receiver. Aqib Talib and the Denver defence has continued its form from last years Super Bowl run Phillip Rivers v Von MillerMiller, last years Super Bowl MVP hs 6.5 sacks in five games this season, as the Broncos lead the league in quarterback take downs. However, despite the losses, the Chargers are third in passing yards and second in yards per attack. If Rivers surrounding talent can cut out the fumbles, San Diego may have a chance.Watch Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers in the NFL on Thursday night (starts 1am BST Friday), live on Sky Sports 1 HD.You can watch Liverpool v Man Utd, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! Also See: NFL Surprises so far WATCH: Sunday Blitz Fantasy NFL week six NFL week five round-up ' ' '