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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 Mr. Fraser, In the Islanders/Blues game on Saturday, the Isles had the apparent game-winning goal overturned in overtime because of a distinct kicking motion by Thomas Vanek. This was the explanation the referee received from Toronto after the goal was reviewed. Ive watched the play over and over, I cant see any kicking motion, let alone a distinct one. The Isles broadcast team thought it was a good goal. They even reported the Blues broadcast team called it a good goal. The Blues goalie (Jaroslav Halak) skated toward the gate leading to the visitors locker room (clearly, he must have figured it was a good goal). The NHL uses the word "distinct" to describe the words "kicking motion." According to the dictionary, "distinct" means readily distinguishable by the senses. I would imagine that if the NHL added "distinct" they meant that the motion could not be interpreted as anything other than a kicking motion. What does a "distinct kicking motion" look like from a referees perspective? As a fan, I would assume the knee would have to bend a bit or the thigh would have to move somewhat, especially if we are talking about a motion being "distinct." I know the NHL can overturn referees calls if there is conclusive evidence, but what does mean if the video doesnt seem to support the explanation. Does the NHL mean "distinct kicking motion" in a figurative or a literal way? Is there an explanation for "distinct" that the NHL uses that fans and internet analysts are not aware of? How does the NHL determine conclusive evidence to overturn a call, especially when most people watching assumed the goal was a good one? The refs didnt spend a long time at the timekeepers station, so the evidence should have been distinct to everyone watching, which is wasnt according to how many people thought the goal should have stood. The NHL had to see something that they consider "distinct," but that the rest of people watching may not have considered (this is my speculation). Its that "something" that has prompted my email inquiry to you. Was this simply a bad call by the guys in Toronto (a frustrating bad call in my personal opinion)? I appreciate you taking the time to read this email. I enjoy reading your column on TSN.ca. Thank you,Michael Bonet Michael: Thank you for your detailed question along with the logical (and expert) analysis you provided relative to the goal Thomas Vanek scored in overtime. To the referees eye, mind and perspective Thomas Vanek did NOT use a "distinct kicking motion" to propel the puck past Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak and score the game-winning goal in overtime. This was another example of an "officiating decision" made correctly on the ice that was overturned by "non-officiating personnel" that staff the Situation Room on a nightly basis. (NFL and MLB employ and empower referees/umpires to make final video review decisions). The guidelines and definition in determining a "distinct kicking motion" must have changed drastically, at least concerning Situation Room criteria employed, from when the kicking puck rule was first explained to my colleagues and I during a training camp meeting the season the rule was implemented. Otherwise Thomas Vaneks goal and the one scored by Brendan Gallagher of the Habs against Martin Brodeur last week (both of which were deemed legal by the referee in great position on the ice) would not have been overturned and disallowed through the video review process. The definition in rule 38.4 (iv) remains the same as when it was explained to us in that training camp meeting by Hockey Ops that still control the Situation Room. "A DISTINCT KICKING MOTION is one which, with a pendulum motion, the player propels the puck with his skate into the net. If the Video Goal Judge determines that it was put into the net by an attacking player using a distinct kicking motion, it must be ruled NO GOAL." As you correctly pointed out, Michael, the former NHL players working as analysts on both the NY Islanders and St. Louis Blues broadcast teams were convinced that Vaneks goal should count. They went so far as to say that Vanek wouldnt have known where the puck was as he rotated his body position away from Halak at the top of the goal crease and was then shoved from behind by Alexander Steen of the Blues. A referees perspective would clearly indicate that the bump from behind by Steen changed Vaneks rotation to a forward motion toward the net and caused the puck to be deflected off Vaneks skate and into the net. (Rule 49.2 - A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking players skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal. A puck that is directed into the net by an attacking plays skate shall be a legitimate goal as long as no distinct kicking motion is evident). We can envision various legal plays when a player is allowed to deliberately turn and angle his skate to direct a puck into the net or even makes a natural sliding stop at the crease in order to contact the puck causing it to enter the goal. Unless there has been some change in the definition and criteria of a "distinct kicking motion" it makes no sense that Thomas Vaneks goal would be disallowed through a video review decision. If there has been a "distinct" change in the criteria that the Situation Room employs in rendering their exclusive decisions, perhaps it is time they advise the rest of the hockey world! Until that takes place, Michael, this decision will be viewed by most as "simply a bad call by the guys in Toronto!" Wholesale China Jerseys . "I could have been equipment manager but nooooo" from Lisa on Ice. Season 6, Episode 8. Wholesale Jerseys Quality .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan opened the Ford Womens World Curling Championship with a 7-5 win over Russia on Saturday. http://www.wholesalejerseysquality.com/. 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Wholesale Jerseys .C. - Nick Merkley and Damon Severson each had a goal and two assists as the Kelowna Rockets downed the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 on Saturday in Western Hockey League playoff action.The Toronto Raptors are still battling for that third spot in the Eastern Conference and will host the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday from Air Canada Centre. The Raptors are even with the Chicago Bulls in the No. 3 slot with five games to play and also have a two-game game lead on the Brooklyn Nets for an Atlantic Division title. Listen to all the action on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. Chicago hopes to stay locked in with a trip to Minnesota Wednesday. Toronto has won three in a row and six of its last seven games, including Saturdays 102-98 triumph at Milwaukee in which Greivis Vasquez poured in a game-high 26 points and DeMar DeRozan added 23. Jonas Valanciunas contributed a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds for Toronto, which made eight straight free throws in the final minute to hold off the Bucks. The Raptors had a 28-22 lead after the first quarter, but Milwaukee recorded a 34-19 difference over the next 12 minutes. The Raptors needed a total team effort in the second half and set a franchise record for road wins in a season with 21. "A team that is going to the playoffs playing to win a division can not have excuses," Vasquez said of the slow start from Toronto. "We got the win. Ugly, pretty, it was a win." Vasquez made 6-of-8 3-pointers and the Raptors have hit at least 10 from beyond the arc in each of the past three games. They are 21-8 when making 10 or more from downtown. Toronto guard Kyle Lowry missed his third straight game with a knee injury and is questionable Wednesday. Lowry scored at least 19 points from March 9-26 (22.5 ppg), but is posting 12.0 ppg in his past three. The Raptors are 17-8 since the All-Star break and 38-20 since trading Rudy Gay in December, and have a chance to pass the team record of 47 wins set in 2006-07 and 2000-01. A big reason for the turnaround has been All-Star DeRozan, who is averaging 23.5 points since the break. DeRozan needs one assist to beccome the second player in Raptors history to record at least 1,700 points and 300 assists in the same season.ddddddddddddVince Carter had 2,107 points and 322 assists during the 1999-00 campaign. Toronto will also welcome the New York Knicks to town, have won four in a row at home and are 24-14 at Air Canada Centre. Philadelphia will begin its final road trip of the season, a three-game jaunt through Toronto, Memphis and Charlotte. The 76ers snapped a 13-game road losing streak with a win at Boston last Friday and are 8-29 away from home. They are 2-3 overall since snapping a 26- game losing streak and dropped a 105-101 decision to Brooklyn at home on Saturday. Thaddeus Young scored 20 points, Hollis Thompson added 18 and Tony Wroten chipped in 15 off the bench in defeat. Philly shot a decent 46 percent, while the Nets led by as many as 21 points in the second half but stumbled down the stretch. Mirza Teletovic drilled a 3- pointer from the right wing for a 99-95 margin with 48.9 seconds to play, and Brooklyn hit 6-of-6 from the foul line in the final 30 seconds to hang on. "We were trying to come back and win, no matter if they had the bench, the starters, or who they had," said Wroten. "No matter who they had out there, were trying to win regardless." Thompson made a career-best 6-of-8 from 3-point range for the Sixers, who have scored 100 or more points in three of the last five games (104.6 ppg) after failing to reach the century mark in a season-high nine straight games. The 76ers are allowing an NBA-high 109.9 points this season and have lost the first three meetings with Toronto this season. 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