four-game suspension and get back to playing football

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! Hello Kerry, Im writing about the call on David Backes dislodging the net with 50 seconds left in the Montreal-St. Louis game to give Tomas Plekanec a penalty shot. I feel it was incorrect as it looked like Backes was almost falling backwards as he was trying to backcheck. What would you have called in that situation? Chris SchellenbachKirkwood, MO --- Hi Kerry, In Tuesdays Montreal-St. Louis game, the Canadien player Douglas Murray had the puck behind the net and the St. Louis player David Backes delivered a hit which forced a turnover for an Alex Steen goal. How was that not a cross-checking penalty? Grant Brodie Chris and Grant: Thanks to both of you for submitting a question from the St. Louis Blues shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens broadcast on TSN Tuesday night. Chris, the penalty shot called by rookie referee Darcy Burchell when David Backes dislodged the net from the moorings with just 48.9 seconds remaining and the score tied was not only a real gutsy call but the correct one. I concede your point, Chris, that David Backes did have momentum moving backwards after he cleared the rebound from outside the goal crease that resulted from Jaroslav Halaks save off the stick of Tomas Plekanec. Backes slipped past the pad of Halak and continued on his backward path through the goal crease. There was no effort made by Backes to initiate a stop or avoid making contact with the net. Knowing that contact with the goal was imminent, David Backes placed his hand and elbow on the crossbar in a reasonable effort to protect himself. Thats as much leeway as I can offer the Blues captain to this point of the play. The instant that David Backes made a slight hip-check move, which dislodged the post from its moorings, a delay of game penalty was warranted. While I give young referee Darcy Burchell full marks for making the correct call, the rookie seemed a little hesitant to signal the penalty shot once he blew his whistle to kill the play. I can appreciate the many things that would have been going through Burchells mind as he viewed and factored-in Backes actions when the net was dislodged. Once his decision was made, I would suggest the young man should be more emphatic with his signal to demonstrate his certainty and to help sell the call. It is also important to note that any Habs player that was on the ice at the time of the infraction could have been designated to take the penalty shot. This is clearly spelled out in rule 24.3; "In cases where a penalty shot has been awarded to a player specifically fouled, that player shall be designated by the referee to take the penalty shot. *In all other cases where a penalty shot has been awarded, the penalty shot shall be taken by a player selected by the Captain of the non-offending team from the players on the ice at the time when the foul was committed." I offer kudos to Darcy Burchell for demonstrating the courage to make a tough call given the score and the time in the game. Thats what we expect from the refs, isnt it hockey fans? The answer to your question, Grant, is that the "push/shove" that David Backes utilized on the back of Habs defenceman Douglas Murray and forced a turnover of the puck is deemed to be legal strength checking move. If you look closely on the replay, you will notice that Backes two gloves make the primary contact with Murrays back and the shove motion is not regarded as a cross-check. 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He appeared emotional as he walked away following the comments. "I just want to say that I did not take a performance enhancing drug," Dunbar said. "I mistakenly took something that prompted a failed drug test." The 27-year-old Dunbar also will miss games against Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco. He eligible to return on Sept. 27. "I sincerely apologize to my teammates (and) the organization," he said. "I am deeply saddened by this. But I plan to serve my four-game suspension and get back to playing football as soon as possible." The 6-foot, 235-pound Dunbar is the second St.dddddddddddd Louis player suspended by the league this season. Running back Isaiah Pead will miss the opening game for a violation of the substance abuse policy. Dunbar, who signed with the Rams on April 2, 2012, started all 16 games last season. He led the team in tackles for loss (23) and recorded 4.5 sacks. Veteran linebacker Will Witherspoon is in line to replace Dunbar. "You always feel bad any time a guy is going to miss a particular part of the season," Witherspoon said. "Were all going to support him." Witherspoon, an 11-year veteran, is ready to pick up the slack left by Dunbars suspension. "If Im asked to step in and start, then thats what Ill do," he said. "If not, Ill still be the veteran leader that Ive always wanted to be." St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead were not available for comment. Most players were given Wednesday off. A one-hour special teams-only practice was held late in the afternoon. The entire squad will participate in a full workout Thursday afternoon. ' ' '