Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or
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cmonref@tsn.
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Hey Kerry,
I was watching the NBC coverage of Sundays Canadiens-Rangers game, and
Mike Milbury and Ed Olczyk went off on the Canadiens for over-selling
and embellishing to sell calls. In the third period, Carl Hagelin hit
Alexei Emelin with a high stick and Emelin went down like a ton of
bricks. Embellishment? Probably, but it didnt change the fact that it
was a high stick. Did the sell by Emelin negate the high stick and the
official basically said, "play on?" Or was this just a missed call?
Morgan,New York, NY
Morgan:
I believe the play that you are referring to occurred with 8:24
remaining in the third period and the score tied at two. Carl Hagelin
attempted a dump-in shot from the centre red line.
Alexei Emelin lowered his posture to execute an active stick sweep check
and contacted the puck as Hegelin was in the act of shooting. Emelin
was legitimately struck in the mouth area with the blade of Haglins
stick on the follow-through of an attempted shot.
Emelins reaction to rotate his body away from the stick contact, then
fall and grab his mouth was reasonable and not an effort to embellish
and draw a foul. A player is permitted accidental contact on an opponent
if committed in a normal windup or follow through of a shooting
motion. No penalty was warranted to Hagelin on this play.
I concur with Mike Milbury and Eddie Os analysis with regard to obvious
embellishment committed by PK Subban and Tomas Plekanec in the second
period of Sunday nights game.
Even though the stick of Rick Nash did catch Subban in the face the
upward launch with both legs was not a natural reaction or fall from
being struck in that manner. Plekanecs theatrical performance was the
absolute worst when he threw his head back and grabbed at his face after
the flat blade of Brian Boyles stick slapped nothing but shoulder pad!
Even though Boyles stick did not quite fit the criteria of a "high stick
(above the height of the opponents shoulders) it was used in a careless
manner and could certainly result in a slashing penalty. Plekanecs
embellishment was also worthy of a penalty that should have resulted in
an on-ice numerical strength of four aside. Given Plekanecs blatant
overreaction it could even been deemed a stand alone embellishment
penalty if the ref wanted to send a clear message but I doubt he would
receive much support.
Power plays and special teams can often be the difference in these games
as we have seen. Once the referees are fooled into calling a penalty or
fail to respond to efforts of embellishment on a play the floodgates
can open up without so much as a splash on the frozen pond.
In the first round of these current playoffs there were six
diving/embellishment penalties assessed. None were a stand alone diving
penalty but deemed to be embellishment that was committed following the
initial infraction. The first two embellishment penalties were assessed
in Game 2 against Mats Zuccarello and Derek Dorsett of the Rangers in
their 4-2 loss to the Flyers.
The Rangers management was not impressed with those penalty calls and
expressed their displeasure to the series supervisor. I wonder if the
Ranger brass is singing the same tune after Sunday night.
Since joining TSN in January of 2011 I have stated on numerous occasions
the need to clean up the unmanly act of diving. When uncalled,
embellishment rewards cheaters. I am often asked how the ref can call
both an initial penalty and a dive; isnt it one or the other?
In reality, embellishment is most often committed after a player has
been legitimately fouled. When that occurs both illegal acts should be
penalized. Three years ago I suggested that a double minor penalty be
assessed to the diver when he was legitimately fouled and the referee
was calling a minor penalty. It would take some guts for the refs to
impose a strict standard on a call like this but the game would be
better for it. The referees also have to know their calls would receive
the full support of management.
Until players that embellish are penalized by the referees and held
accountable by the League with published fines and suspensions as
prescribed in rule 64.3, this illegal act will continue to plague the
game. Its time for everyone involved to man-up.
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