Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry Fraser wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, On two occasions this past weekend, I saw two different players drop the gloves, throw some punches and on one occasion (Malkin) lose his jersey in the process. In both of these cases, the players were assessed roughing penalties. What weighs in the refs decision to not call a fighting major or to eject a player if his jersey is not tied down? Thanks Ref,Sonny Giroux ----- Sonny, thank you for your question. I can appreciate your confusion on this issue. In terms of fighting, the rule book offers that "The Referees are provided very wide latitude in the penalties with which they may impose. This is done intentionally to enable them to differentiate between the obvious degrees of responsibility of the participants either for starting the fighting or persisting in continuing the fighting. The discretion should be exercised realistically." So in applying that wide latitude what constitutes a five-minute major penalty for fighting as opposed to a minor or double minor penalty for roughing? The rule book defines fighting and roughing as follows: Fighting ("...when at least one player punches or attempts to punch an opponent repeatedly or when two players wrestle in such a manner as to make it difficult for the Linesmen to intervene and separate the combatants.") Roughing ("...a punching motion with the hand or fist, with or without the glove on the hand, normally directed at the head or face of an opponent.") I bet this really clears it up for you Sonny. Clear as mud, right? I hope some clarity for you will be found as I examine the typical escalation of an altercation. Spontaneous combustion seldom occurs between two players to achieve a full blown fight other than perhaps in a "staged" fight between two willing combatants. (Do you wanna go? Sure! Pow.) It is more likely however, that an altercation escalates before it becomes a main event. (dfn: An altercation is a situation involving two players with at least on to be penalized.) Lets take a closer look at the altercation involving Evgeni Malkin and Curtis Glencross that you referenced from the Saturday night Flames-Penguins game in an attempt to understand at least the theory behind the penalty assessment. Malkin was carrying the puck out of his end zone when Lee Stempniuk of the Flames slashed the stick out of Malkins hand for which play was stopped to assess a slashing penalty to Stempniuk. Curtis Glencross of the Flames, in frustration of perhaps the penalty to be assessed, knocked Malkins stick away as the Penguin star forward was about to retrieve it. Malkin then pushed Glencross who retaliated with a slash to the shin pad of Malkin. At this juncture in the altercation Malkin used his gifted scoring touch for a well placed round house, glancing right hand (with his glove on) to the head of Glencross. The fuse was now lit, combustion was well underway and a fight was imminent. If we freeze the action at this point (and in an effort to simplify things) Stempniak would receive a minor for the initial slash on Malkins stick, Glencross is assessed a minor for slashing Malkin on the shin pad and Malkin would receive a roughing minor for his round house right hand. (Knocking the stick away and the push would be considered a wash.) The Pens would be on the power play for two minutes by virtue of the coincident minor penalty rule and the Flames would have Captains choice as to who would serve the minor on the clock. (Stempniak or Glencross.) Continuing the action from the incident, Malkin and Glencross became entangled as players and the linesmen immediately rushed onto the scene. While Malkin dropped his gloves and was about to unload, it was only the excellent response by the two linesmen, Lonnie Cammeron and Don Henderson that prevented this altercation from being deemed a fight. Malkins attempted punches from in close hit nothing other than the extended forearm of linesman Cameron. The two potential combatants were quickly subdued and separated without any damage being done. Since the altercation was not deemed to be a fight, no penalty would be warranted to Malkin for not having his jersey properly tied-down. Also on this issue of tie-downs, if the linesmen were not quick to intervene and a fight had ensued and Glencross was identified as the instigator for banging the stick away followed by the slash to Malkins leg, then a game misconduct would not be assessed to Malkin for his jersey coming off his torso. In summary, this altercation had all the makings of a main event fight but when the bell finally rang the linesmen in the ring prevented sufficient contact and sent them to their respective corners of the penalty box to cool off. I hope this washes some of the mud away for you Sonny. cheap jerseys .com . This is the fourth time since Brodeur broke into the league in 1992 with the Devils that he has been involved in a work stoppage. He was called up to the NHL two days before the players went on strike in 1992; his career has also been affected by lockouts in 1994, 2004 and now currently in 2012. cheap jerseys from china . You can watch Raonic play Paul-Henri Mathieu of France live on TSN2 and TSN.ca at approximately 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt. http://www.comcheapjerseys.com/ . -- New Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has met face-to-face with Dwight Howard, but the team isnt commenting on what was discussed. wholesale jerseys from china . This week, they discuss the casualties of the NHL lockout, Triple-Crown threat Miguel Cabrera, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano and all of the sports figures who behaved badly this week. cheap nfl jerseys china . The South Korean player had a 15-under 201 total at Guadalajara Country Club. She won the Evian Masters in France in July and the LPGA Malaysia last month and leads the LPGA Tour money list and the Vare Trophy race for the lowest scoring average. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith had plenty of concerns following his teams late-night victory over Denver. Injuries. Running game. Then he had to add Michael Turners off the field troubles to the list. The former Pro Bowl running back was arrested for drunken driving and speeding early Tuesday morning. Smith said he met with Turner after his release from jail and expressed the organizations disappointment. The coach would not say if the Falcons (2-0) will discipline him before they visit San Diego (2-0) on Sunday. Turner, 30, is expected to attend the teams customary film sessions and position meetings and to practice when players return Wednesday from their off day. "Oh, hell be in here" Wednesday, Smith said. "No doubt." Smith said the Falcons are "disappointed when a player sheds a negative light on our organization. I cant say any more than that." There were other issues to address. The 5-foot-10, 244-pound Turner is just one of Smiths concerns. Defensively, the Falcons dont know if nickel back Christopher Owens will be cleared to play. Owens sustained a concussion against Denver. Smith said several other players will be listed on the injury report this week. Three defensive starters -- cornerback Asante Samuel, nose tackle Peria Jerry and right end John Abraham -- were treated on the sideline during the game, but each returned to the field. Samuel left in the first quarter with a jammed neck, but still finished with seven tackles. Abraham and Jerry were hurt in the fourth quarter. With the team leaving for San Diego on Friday, Smith plans to take it easy on his players after a 3-hour, 27-minute game on Monday that was bogged down by a sideline scrum and an inexperienced group of replacement officials. The Falcons won 27-21. "We want to get everybody recovered and as fresh as possible," Smith said. "That was a very physical football game last night that was way too long and ended way too early in the morning." The Falcons also need to get their rushing attack on the right track. Turner has struggled on the field and is averaging nearly 2 yards per attempt under his 4.5 career mark from 20004-10.dddddddddddd. Smith refused to say whether Turners issues off the field and anything to do with his struggles on it. "You cant speculate on that at all," Smith said. On Atlantas first possession, Turner was stopped twice on first-and-goal from the 1 for no gain. But on his next carry, he jumped over a pile of linemen on both teams to give the Falcons an early touchdown lead. Still, the Falcons rushing attack, which ranks 26th in the NFL, could face a stiff challenge from a San Diego defences ranks first against the run. Turner gained just 27 yards on his first 16 carries against the Broncos. On his final attempt, Turner broke off a 15-yard run that allowed Atlanta to run out the clock and secure the victory. "We had a couple of opportunities to get some first downs (earlier in the fourth quarter), but until the last drive we didnt have any success," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "That last drive our guys really stepped up, our offensive line did a great job allowing us to run the football. They opened up holes for Michael Turner." The Falcons pass defence earned a boost in confidence by intercepting Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning three times in the first quarter. It marked the first time Atlanta reaped the benefits from the off-season in replacing former defensive co-ordinator Brian VanGorder with Mike Nolan. Though Nolan began the game with a 1-6 record as a co-ordinator and head coach against Manning, the Falcons excelled at disguising coverages and dropping safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud deeper than the four-time NFL MVP seemed to expect. Moore, DeCoud and reserve cornerback Robert McClain each picked off Manning. The pass rush helped all night, finishing with three sacks and three additional quarterback hits. "We did a very good job, and when the opportunity arose to make plays on balls in the air, we created three interceptions and (we had) the one fumble recovery," Smith said. "Our third-down efficiency improved. I think we made some strides." Atlantas defence is still suspect against the run having allowed an average of 135 yards and four touchdowns over the last two weeks. ' ' '