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. Its an "Ace" of a day here in South New Jersey and Im in a very happy mood. I recorded my first ever hole-in–one this morning on the par 3, 135 yard fourth hole at the Atlantic City Country Club with an eight iron into a stiff wind and drizzle off the Bay. As they say, even a blind squirrel (or ref) can find a nut once in a while! Enjoy the games tonight. - Kerry Hi Kerry, In seemingly all of his games since the playoffs have started, Brad Marchand has had a talking to by the referee for stick work after the whistle. The commentators keep referring to Marchand getting "a warning." But if this is happening every game, shouldnt these warnings turn into penalties at some point? Does the league allow or encourage officials to pass this type of information on from one game to the next? Thanks,JonathanToronto, ON Jonathan: NHL officials do share information with one another. The fastest lines of communication are the telephone, telegraph and tell a ref! The series supervisor updates each new crew at a game-day noon meeting as to what has taken place in previous games. There are no surprises; especially when it comes to certain hotspots the officials need to be aware of involving players from both teams. The referees want to do their very best to allow the players to play on the edge while maintaining an element of control; especially in a game seven. With regard to game control, the intelligent official will communicate with players and coaches when he deems it necessary to bring their negative emotions down a notch. I often noticed that player aggression could escalate during a shift or subsequent shifts. It was almost like a snowball rolling down a hill that gathered momentum. It was almost predictable as a player became less disciplined and likely to commit an infraction resulting in a penalty call. Im not referring to some spontaneous retaliation or foul but a tendency that players demonstrated to lose their discipline through a series of ragged play. Scrums and confrontations after the whistle are the most opportune time for player hostilities and paybacks to escalate. Scrums take the focus away from playing the game to instead administering punishment or getting even. When that occurs the refs have to take measures to get players refocused; usually with the fear that a penalty will be called to re-establish acceptable guidelines. The most successful refs are the one that get the players to play on their terms without having to continually lay the hammer down! The entertainment value of the game is maximized whenever that takes place. There comes a point though when the communication efforts have no effect and the refs arm must go up to call a penalty. I just dont want to single out Brad Marchand of the Bruins. Brendan Gallagher of the Habs is another pesky little guy that can really stir things up. Both are emotional players that bring plenty of energy to their game and can draw a crowd. Whether it is going hard to the net and making contact with the goalkeeper or initiating contact after the whistle in an effort to draw a foul, both players have earned the right to be on the refs radar screen. Officials develop a working relationship with all players. Throughout that relationship building process a player has to clearly know when a referee means business; when he has had enough and the hammer is about to fall! Speaking from personal experience, players didnt often mistake my piercing look and terse body language or tone for knowing when it was time to back off and take their foot off the gas pedal. When I issued a "warning" to a player I often told him I could be his best advocate or his worst friggin nightmare - the choice was his? A referee can also solicit the assistance of a respected team leader or captain that he has a good relationship with to get his teammate under control before the ref is forced to take action. I often used the coach in this capacity to instill some discipline in one of his players. When I had enough of the scrums (which was very quickly) I went to each coach and told them I had enough and was going to penalize one player only in a scrum. Since it might just be their player I asked them to take control before I was forced to put his team down a man! They usually cooperated; if not it only took one such penalty for them to understand I meant business. What the referees are attempting to do with a player like Brad Marchand is to establish some self-discipline through an element of reason. Reminding the player that taking a penalty will put his team in the hole can be one way to do that as I have described above. It is important for the ref to choose his words wisely and not "threaten" the player with, "If you do that one more time" routine. Game 7 is not the time for any player to test the referees resolve; nor is it the time for the referees to lay the hammer down without some fair warning. I think the message has been delivered and the pests will play their typical game but just on the edge. Talk is often cheap but everything is on the line for both teams tonight! Denver Nuggets Pro Shop . Halladays resume as a Blue Jay is among the elite in the franchises 36-year history. Over 12 seasons in Toronto, he was named an All-Star six times. He had arguably the finest campaign of his career in 2003 when he posted a 22-7 record, a 3. 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Ultimately, while the landscape around them changed with trades both major and minor, the Blue Jays did nothing before Thursdays non-waiver deadline.Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes, who were off Sunday, assigned defenseman Andrew Campbell to the AHL. – Arizona Republic Colorado Avalanche Marc-Andre Cliche (oblique), Dennis Everberg (shoulder) and Patrick Bordeleau (back) went through a full practice Sunday, in addition to Jesse Winchester, and the team re- assigned forwards Michael Sgarbossa and Tomas Vincour to the minors Saturday. – Denver Post Florida Panthers Coach Gerard Gallant said Dave Bolland is ready to return from a groin injury that has kept him out since Oct.17 and should play Monday against the Blues. Scottie Upshall (ankle) and Aleksander Barkov (hand) didn’t travel to St. Louis but might join the team later in the week. – Miami Herald New Jersey Devils Mike Cammalleri, who pulled a muscle in his buttocks during Saturday nights home loss to the Washington Capitals, did not accompany the Devils to Raleigh, N.C., Sunday. Patrik Elias also did not make the trip after aggravating a groin injury. Both will miss Monday nights game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Winger Martin Havlat (lower body) did make the trip and will be evaluated as far as whether or not he will be removed from injured reserve. Adam Larsson is still battling the flu and will be put on long-term IR (seven days retroactive) Monday. Lamoriello said there is no indication it is mumps, although Larsson and Travis Zajac have had blood tests in an effort to rule out the illness. Lamoriello said it takes 5-7 days to get the results.dddddddddddd – Star Ledger New York Rangers Chris Kreider has not scored a goal in 11 games, and at Sundays practice he was shaken up after a collision with teammate Carl Hagelin, the team said. Kreiders status for Monday is uncertain. – New York Daily News San Jose Sharks Matt Nieto missed his second game with an undisclosed lower body injury suffered in Thursday nights win over the Boston Bruins. – San Jose Mercury News Toronto Maple Leafs Leo Komarov did not practice Monday and has skated only once since he was concussed by an Alex Ovechkin hit late last month. The Leafs offered no further update on his status, only noting that he continues to work out off the ice. Komarov is all but certain to miss the next two games, a back-on-back starting on Tuesday with Calgary in town. Phil Kessel, meanwhile, continues to practice and the team continues to deny speculation that hes hurt. Kessel has two even-strength points in the last 10 games. - TSN Calgary Flames After missing six weeks with a shoulder injury, it appears that Flames forward Mason Raymond will be back in the lineup against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Tuesday. Flames forward Joe Colborne (wrist) is close to returning to the lineup and will travel with the team on the four-game road trip. Jonas Hiller will start for the Flames Tuesday. - TSN Winnipeg Jets Forward Patrice Cormier was recalled from the AHLs St. Johns IceCaps on Monday. ' ' '