t punch, had the gloves off first and fought him as retribution

Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Brian Dawkins Eagles Jersey .ca. Hi Kerry, During Tuesday nights Pens/Caps game, Tom Wilson got a five-minute penalty for charging Brayden Schenn. Nicklas Grossmann then turned and started a fight with Wilson. Despite not having to travel any distance, he clearly threw the first punch, had the gloves off first and fought him as retribution for a previous incident in the game or season, all of which would be grounds for an instigator penalty. Yet none was given. Why wasnt there one given? Thanks,Kyle Reid --- What is your take on the Wilson hit on Schenn from Washington vs. Philadelphia game? Some say 100 per cent clean hit and others say its a suspension!  Thanks for reading!Bob Haynes  Kyle and Bob: Following the devastating and violent hit that Tom Wilson delivered on Brayden Schenn it was actually Wilson that dropped his gloves first to be at the ready in anticipation of the Flyers cavalry that was guaranteed to charge. Nicklas Grossmann moved toward the Caps player with gloves and stick in hand. Wilsons gloves hit the ice. Even when the two players locked on Grossmanns gloves were still evident on his hands as Wilson attempted to throw some punches from tight quarters. In spite of the fact that Grossmann approached Wilson following the hit (minimal distance travelled) - but more based on Wilsons quick response mentioned above - the Referee appropriately deemed an instigator penalty was not warranted. Bob, this was a 100 per cent illegal hit. Tom Wilson approached Brayden Schenn with excessive speed from a considerable distance which results in a charging violation (Rule 42.1 - Charging shall mean the actions of a player who, as a result of distance travelled, shall violently check an opponent in any manner). Even though Schenn took a peek and simultaneously made a slight turn to avoid the contact, Wilson actually accelerated in the last eight-to-10 feet, rendering the Flyer player virtually defenceless. The accelerated speed and extra finish that Wilson exerted through the hit caused Schenn to crash violently into the end boards with significant impact to Schenns head. A boarding violation also occurred on this play (Rule 41.1 - A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player who checks or pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to hit or impact the boards violently or dangerously. The severity of the penalty, based on the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee). I would hope every referee in the league would exercise their most responsible discretion and deem Schenns impact with the boards as violent and excessive resulting in a major and game misconduct being assessed on this play. Potential suspension - who knows? Rule 41 goes on to say that, "The onus is on the player applying the check to ensure his opponent is not in a defenceless position and if so, he must avoid or minimize contact." Tom Wilson was committed beyond just making the hit, as proven by the acceleration and finish factor on the play. There was no consideration given to avoid Schenn or to slow down and minimize contact. It was full speed ahead! Let me highlight the escape clause in the rule when consideration is given to whether a suspension is warranted on dangerous hits such as this. From Rule 41.1, "However, in the determining whether such contact could have been avoided, the circumstances of the check, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the check or whether the check  was unavoidable can be considered." Schenn snuck a peek an instant before impact and recognized a missile in the form of Tom Wilson was hunting him down. This caused Schenn to veer slightly or attempt to turn as an avoidance tactic.  The Player Safety Committee will give strong consideration to this element of the play in defense of Tom Wilsons actions. At least in this case, the ambiguity written into rule places considerable and undue responsibility on the victim of such a violent hit.  Given Schenns location from the boards, the extended distance Tom Wilson travelled and the speed, velocity and force generated by this hit I believe a similar outcome would have occurred regardless of Brayden Schenns minimal attempt to avoid contact.Malcolm Jenkins Authentic Jersey . Patrick Deslisle-Houde and David Rose each scored in the second to give the fourth-seeded Redmen a 3-1 lead after Jean-Philippe Mathieu scored in the first. Darren Sproles Jersey . For Kyle Lowry, its become an accepted reality. He will be traded. The question is, when and where? The Raptors point guard is widely believed to be next on general manager Masai Ujiris chopping block after the first domino - Rudy Gay, Lowrys best friend - fell last week.In a special Fathers Day edition of the Three Man Weave, Duane Watson and Will Strickland from TSN 1050s "1 On 1 With Will & Duane" bring on Canadian basketball blog boss Ray Bala of the Can Ball Report to collect ties, aftershave, socks and thoughts on the current state of the NBA Finals!Do the Miami Heat have a chance at making history and winning three straight to win the NBA Finals? Bala: I would say no. They have two things going against them. Firstly, the Spurs have been playing some incredible basketball that has been about as textbook as you can imagine.  The teamwork and the defence plus some all-world play both by Kawhi Leonard and Boris Diaw, on the road no less, has been unstoppable.  Secondly, Game 5 is in San Antonio and since the already rabid Spurs fans will be sniffing the title now, making the environment something akin to the lion food in the Roman Coliseum.  And did I mention that history is not with them either?   Strickland: Chance? Yes. Multiple chances, as a matter of fact: Slim and none. As great as the narrative could establish itself to be if Miami miraculously came back to make this a competitive and epic Finals, there is nothing exhibited in these first four games that would indicate that the Heat have the valentine or testicular fortitude to climb that mountain now. Watson: None. The Spurs can smell blood and they dismantled the Heat in Games 3 and 4. Coach Gregg Popovich has his team far too disciplined to rest on their laurels on home court. The Spurs will take the Larry OBrien Trophy in five games, as Miami has no sense of urgency and cant find scoring outside of the Big Three or defend anyone and that goes for all 13 members of the Miami roster.What do you look at as the biggest key to the Spurs success in the Finals? Bala: The biggest key to the Spurs success is their depth of experience.  Sure Leonard, Green and Diaw have been playing out of their minds and the Big Three of Parker, Duncan and Ginobili had been solid. But its the experience among all of them, as well as others, that have kept the edge on the Heat.  The panic button never seems to get pushed when things start to go awry and even after the Game 2 loss at home, they came back to pummel the Heat on their court twice, running their system and playing their game.  Key word in the last sentence being THEIR. That kind of poise in a championship final only comes with experience and I think we are being shown that it will beat out youthful athleticism.  Strickland: Remembering how to forget. Coach Popovich brought his charges into training camp before the season, slowly and painfully breaking down how the Spurs let one get away last year, then put it away forever. Pops understanding of how to manage his team throughout the regular season, limiting their minutes in preparation for this moment was genius. But his adjustment of inserting the multi-dimensional point forward Boris Diaw into the starting lineup for Game 3 was so masterful that San Antonio may be counting one for the thumb and never see another Game 6 in these playoffs. Watson: When a team is doing everything right, its hard to pick just one thing. They are moving the ball exceptionally well, in addition to shooting at a high field-goal percentage, but their defence is what is giving the Heat fits. Not just contesting shots, activity in passing lanes or stealing the ball, but second-man rotation has been solid by the Spurs and, as their hallmark, its any player on the floor wearing black and silver, not just the starters. Is Kawhi Leonard a similar player if drafted by any other team in the NBA? Bala: I dont think so.  Leonard, in his role now with the Spurs, is in the ideal place.  He would be asked to do more of one thing or another with any other team, or less, and that could likely lead to a drop-off in something else.  Right now, hes the do-everything athletic guy on a Spurs team that, though, has athletes, doesnt have one like him.  Teams in the NBA all have a vet guy, or three, like Kawhi and that would compete with him growing as a player.  There is no way that he would be the same player anywhere else for what hes shown us in the Finals. Strickland: No. Being able to come into a team aand system that mirrors his character, personality and demeanour to a tee with veteran leaders and a winning culture that wouldnt depend on him to be the face of the franchise right away was ideal for him. Nick Foles Authentic Jersey. . The Spurs R.C. Buford knew what he was doing and exactly what he was getting when he traded George Hill to the Pacers for Kawhi Leonard.Watson: Of course not. Hes still a talented and gifted player, but he was drafted by a team that didnt need him to come in right away and score or be a lockdown defender. He is coached by the best in the game and has learned and watched from Hall of Fame players and how to conduct himself as a professional. Does the result of the NBA Finals affect the Heats off-season free agency moves? Bala: Either way you cut it, its a yes.  With all but two players guaranteed to be on the roster, this should play a huge role now.  Assuming that the Three Amigos take their player options, for one of the two years at least, the Heat will need to find the pieces to build around them within a workable budget for necessary complementary talent.  If any of them opts for free agency, the team will have to replace that player AND just about everyone else too.  That will be a huge problem because the calibre of player and chemistry will be tough to find.   Lose or, if you believe in miracles, win, Miami has a long summer ahead of it.  Strickland: Absolutely. The roster is aging in dog years, especially with one of their stars whose name rhymes with "Wwyane Dade." The Heat need to address getting younger players who fit their culture and can contribute right away. Pat Riley will also have to look at shoring up problem areas at the point guard (Kyle Lowry?) and down low with solid bigs who can help drag Miami out of the NBAs basement in rebounding, score a bit and be a defensive presence in the paint. Carmelo Anthony is not the answer to the Heats needs right now. Watson: Not really, although the Finals have shown them that they are in worse shape than they previously thought. If Dwyane Wade is going to retire as a Heat player, the team needs more support. This season alone proves they cant coast through and expect to compete in the Finals. Miami has played a lot of games over the last three years and its apparent they are tired and too top-heavy. They can take a note from the Spurs or two regarding balance. Four games deep, who is the Finals MVP? Bala: My pick is Boris Diaw.  I cant believe I just said that.  I, like Im sure many have before me, have ragged on him at some point in his career, but hes looking like the championship-era Bulls Scottie Pippen right now.  Hes been a catalyst on both ends of the floor and its been his ability to not just make plays, but timely ones has been a sparkplug for the Spurs and a dagger for the Heat.  I know Leonard had some big performances, as did Parker, but without Diaw the Spurs could be looking at 2-2 or even 3-1. Strickland: Can an entire team and organization be named MVP? No? Okay. Well, I currently have co-MVPs in Boris Diaw and Kawhi Leonard. French Pastrys insertion into the starting lineup shifted the Spurs offence into high gear, especially Kawhi Leonard. Leonards stat lines in Games 3 and 4 are shinier and MVP-calibre, but Diaw as a catalyst facilitating so many good things on the offence cant be overlooked. For a guy who once was the MVP of a foreign hoops league while averaging 7 PPG says a lot about how Boris Diaws impact on this series. Watson: Kawhi Leonard, despite Tim Duncans consistency. Leonard has shot .590 from the field averaging 16.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while defending the best player on the planet in LeBron James. He has also forced to make James and the rest of the Heat work on the defensive end and is poised to be holding the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award. Leonard has taken the next step in his career and no better time than the NBA Finals. The Three-Man Weave contributors are co-hosts of TSN Radio 1050s 1-on-1 with Will and Duane, Will Strickland (@WallStrizzle1) and Duane Watson (@byDuaneWatson) and guest point guard and owner of a quietly hot sneaker collection Ray Bala (@CanBallReport). ' ' '