Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Marco Parolo Jersey .ca. Hi Mr. Fraser, Im a fan of the column as you put a good perspective on some of the crazy reffing that goes on. I would love to know how Torontos Stephane Robidas isnt suspended for elbowing Vancouvers Shawn Matthias in the head with a dirty blatant elbow this past Saturday. Now Vancouver has one of its hottest players out with a concussion. Its pretty infuriating when we see Alex Burrows get two games for a much less dangerous hit, then Robidas gets away with a dirty, blatant elbow to the head. Whats wrong with this league? Ted Goodsell Airdrie, Alberta Ted: You are one of four fans that dropped this question in the Cmon Ref mail bag just last night who are curious as to why no suspension was imposed to Stephane Robidas after he elbowed Shawn Matthias in a play that resulted in concussion-like symptoms to the Vancouver player. The Player Safety Committee has a series of criteria to determine a hit they deem to be worthy of a suspension. You can find various examples and explanations in tutorial videos contained on the NHL.com player safety website. The committee, headed by Stephane Quintal, attempt to rule in a fair and consistent manner based on the criteria they have been handed. This is certainly no easy task and every decision (or non-decision) they make is closely scrutinized by team personnel, the media and fans alike. Every play is different and must be judged on its own merit. In many situations it appears to me that too narrow a margin exists between determining an illegal play worthy of a penalty imposed by the referee in the game or elevated to a suspension after the fact with regard to player safety. Even though this was an elbow infraction, rule 48 is the modern day standard bearer for illegal contact to the head. The rule provides a list of criteria that not only defines an illegal check to the head but offers caveats or exemptions that carry forward and become part of the criteria used by the Player Safety Committee to determine suspensions. Critical to their consideration is if an opponents head was the main point of contact and especially whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponents body and the head was not picked as a result of poor timing, poor angle of approach, or unnecessary extension of the body upward or outward. This is certainly an abundance of verbiage to digest when breaking down hits that result in varying degrees of contact to the head of a player. It is my opinion that too many caveats are being considered for not suspending a player when significant contact to the head results from a high, illegal hit. As we look at a couple of different angles when Robidas initiated contact with Matthias we are presented with evidence that would most likely have been strongly considered by the P.S.C. to determine a suspension was not warranted to the Toronto player. The camera shot from the stands, looking through the back of Matthias, indicates that Robidas elevated arm/elbow appears to make initial contact just below the chin (neck area) of the Vancouver player. As Robidas initiates contact his upper body slides off the centre mass of his opponent and results in Matthias head becoming the main point of contact with the right-back shoulder and upper tricep of Robidas. The cross ice shot is somewhat more incriminating that the elbow did some residual damage but it can be argued that Robidas elbow rode up after making initial contact below the chin. In the eye and mind of those responsible for determining a suspension this becomes an illegal elbow worthy of a minor penalty and does not cross the line of the criteria they utilize for the purpose of suspension. Some (or even many of us) wont agree with the rationale or criteria currently being utilized to determine a suspension. Many would suggest it falls short in an effort to hold players accountable for high hits that result in various degrees of contact to the head of an opponent and can result in injury. The General Managers are presently meeting and can recommend changes to this process if they deem them to be warranted. Its their stick and puck and until such time as changes are made it will be business as usual. I wish Shawn Matthias a full and speedy recovery. Graziano Pelle Jersey . 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Post time is 5:38 pm.EBEBIYIN, Equatorial Guinea - Tournament favourite Algeria faces a tricky challenge at the start of its African Cup of Nations campaign against an up-and-coming South Africa in the heat and humidity of the jungle in eastern Equatorial Guinea on Monday.The Algerians are tipped by many as the team with the best chance of winning the title after their impressive World Cup performance in Brazil last year. But the unpredictable African Cup is a different proposition to FIFAs slick showpiece tournament, even more so for Algeria after it was drawn to play in Mongomo, one of two small and remote host towns in Equatorial Guineas far east.Also, coach Christian Gourcuffs Algeria is pitted against tough West African opposition in Ghana and Senegal as well as the South Africans in Group C, probably the hardest group.We mustnt be complacent, midfielder Medhi Lacen said. We have a team of great quality, great players, but we must remember the African Cup is not the World Cup. Its much more physical and we have to be ready for that.Algeria is based way out on the Gabonese border. Its many Europe-based players, just out of winter there, face heat, dripping humidity and other logistical challenges — like an hour-plus drive to their training base in Oyala, a city being built in the middle of the rainforest and planned as the future capital city of Equatorial Guinea. Antonio Candreva Jersey. Its going to be difficult for sure, Riyad Mahrez said of the group stage.South Africa — the host of the last Cup of Nations — has come through a qualifying campaign for the first time since 2008, and is rejuvenated under new coach Ephraim Mashaba.The squad that we have now has got fire in their eyes and the energy they have is unbelievable, defender Anele Ngcongca said. We are all looking forward to this tournament and I think we can surprise a lot of teams.Group Cs other two teams also have lots to prove.Ghana had a disastrous World Cup last year, failing to win a game as a wrangle between players and officials over team bonuses destroyed squad morale. And Senegal failed to qualify for the African Cup two years ago, and got knocked out in the first-round the time before that.Ghana and Senegal open the group at the little-known Mongomo Stadium on Monday before Algeria plays South Africa.The remote conditions have already affected Ghanas buildup, with captain Asamoah Gyan diagnosed with mild malaria on Sunday, the Ghana Football Association said. The striker has been released from the hospital in Mongomo and is being monitored by doctors, but is doubtful to face Senegal. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '