question and an issue going into the game and the season is:

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: Love the column! The amount of hockey rules I have learned from Cmon Ref! is unreal, keep it up! Now heres my question. Near the end of the second period of the Oilers-Jets season-opening game, a fight broke out between Luke Gazdic and Chris Thorburn. I noticed that while gaining positional advantage in the fight, it appeared that Gazdic knocked off his own helmet. My understanding is that if you take off your own helmet (recently exploited by a couple of quick-witted tough guys) you will get a two-minute minor on top of the five-minute fighting major. In my opinion, the helmet was already falling off and Gazdic was having issues with his vision. Seeing as this is a new rule and its gotten some criticism, could you maybe shed some light on how it works and why these loopholes seem to be appearing? Thanks,Jordan BarrassEdmonton, AB Jordan: Thank you for being a regular student in the Cmon Ref classroom where the learning never stops for all of us! The overriding spirit and intent of rule 46.6 is to provide an element of safety to players that engage in fisticuffs. In "staged" fights or where a challenge is issued and combat is mutually agreed upon by heavyweights the removal of helmets (and elbow pads) can even provide bad optics in the marketing of the game beyond just the obvious safety issues. Taking an additional two minute penalty (removing helmet) or the potential for breaking a hand by punching a helmet and visor might (and I stress "might") act as some form of deterrent to fighting in general for some. The black and white of rule 46.6 reads: "No player may remove his helmet prior to engaging in a fight. If he should do so, he shall be assessed a two minute minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Helmets that come off in the course of and resulting form the altercation will not result in a penalty to either player." The language of the rule is very clear that the minor penalty applies when a player removes his helmet prior to engaging in a fight! Luke Gazdic and Chris Thorburn were fully engaged in close quarters when Gazdic was bent over by Thornburn and placed in a vulnerable position. Perhaps Gazdic felt his helmet was restricting him in some way or was falling off as you suggest Jordan. For whatever reason, Gazdic quickly flipped off his helmet in one quick motion in the course of and resulting from the altercation as the exemption in the rule states. This, like all new rules, will be closely monitored by the Hockey Operations, Officiating Department and Player Safety personnel. If players do things deliberately to circumvent the spirit of the rule, adjustments will be made and the Officials standard enforcement will be altered. "Loopholes" are already being closed. Direction has been given for the Officials to assess minor penalties where opposing players grab onto chin straps and remove each others helmet in an obvious ploy to circumvent the rule. There will be growing pains in this rule and others that will be addressed as this young season progresses. It is also important for you to note that as a result of this new helmet removal rule the additional minor penalty for instigating a penalty while wearing a visor is no longer in effect. Welcome back everyone for what promises to be a terrific NHL hockey season. Josh Bynes Jersey . Jones took a beating, the worst one of his record reign, in a bout against Alexander Gustafsson that knocked the light heavyweight champion on the canvas for the first time in his career and put his belt in jeopardy. Antoine Bethea Jersey . They were expecting him there all along. The Pacers announced Friday night that George has been cleared "to return to normal basketball activity," a decision made three days after he was concussed in Game 2 of the Indiana-Miami series. http://www.officialarizonacardinalsfootball.com/authentic-j.j.-nelson-jersey-womens .twitter.com/TeZD3KOvlA — Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 24, 2014 Sorry for the delay, we just got back from lunch at Papa Vons #NBAFastFood pic. Evan Boehm Jersey . His Chicago Blackhawks teammates werent shocked when he found it. Kanes career has been defined by his brilliance in the Blackhawks biggest moments, and his tiebreaking goal with 3:45 to play in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals will rank among the best. Brandon Williams Jersey . Meanwhile, the Jets extended their winning streak to four and remain perfect under Paul Maurice. Its the Jets second four-game winning streak of the season, the other coming in mid-November.Of all four games played in in Week 1, the most impressive were the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on two levels. First, Investors Group Field is as special as a football stadium and home field for the Bombers . I didnt have the opportunity to visit the facility last year, so this year when I found out we were going to be there in person, I was eager to take a look. And it lived up to my expectations and more. Outside, the visual concept and construction is exceptional. The sheer size, the lower bowl, the overhang of protection - all looks and feels professional and impressive. The only criticism is they could have developed a more advanced scoreboard for the patrons, but thats the only negative I can express. Other than that, Investors Group Field is a gem of a football field inside and out. And its inside where its even more enlightening. The visitors locker room is better than most home locker rooms in North America. The weight room, meeting rooms and medical facilities are excellent and all in close proximity to one another. The architects and financiers involved did great work - a magnificent upgrade from the old stadium. As far as the game went, I enjoyed the dominate win with cautious optimism. No argument from me that Winnipeg was the better team, but as with any football game theres a reason why a team wins and a team loses. Winnipeg won because Toronto was not ready to play. The best indicator of that were the opening drives, seven plays, 62 yards and a touchdown to start the first half and then six plays, 62 yards and a touchdown to start the second half. They were not ready to play and to the credit of the Bombers they took advantage. Toronto lost because of Drew Willy. Not an overwhelming statistical day, but he looked very comfortable as a quarterback. He was calm, precise and prepared. In football, when one person has success there are always others assisting. Offensive coordinator Marcel Bellefeuille had his quarterback very well prepared and you have to think Buck Pierce had a calming influence too. Willy looked great. Now I say cautious optimism, because I seriously doubt that the Bombers next opponent - the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday night - will provide 16 penalties just in the first half for a second week in a row. For the Argos, next week is an intense test again. Saskatchewan Roughriders in their home opener with questions about pass rush, pass coverage and on field playing discipline. No time is on their side with a weekend away from football and five full preparation days. But after Saturday afternoon, Toronto has to know if they have good players that did not play well, or players that cannot play at a CFL pro level. Tough question to answer. Game No. 2 of Week 1 was Montreal at Calgary - Bo Levi Mitchell vs. Troy Smith. Mitchell played well especially when you consider it was his fourth start and his fourth win. He has a good deep ball which all receivers love to see and like Drew Willy, was calm as a pro. Troy Smith had to be polite, being a tough day and all. Yes -theres a new offensive coordinator, new offence, only one game of action in the second exhibition and of course, the wind. But I saw a quarterback who could not throw effectively at all. I counted 10 overthrows with receivers wide open. Whats surprising is that I did not see this massive inaccuracy last year at all. Somethings missing. I am sure as a pro, Troy Smith will find the problem and get it fixed by Friday nights game against BC. At least I think so. The drama in this game was from a vicious hit by Kyries Hebert on Jon Cornish . Was it retaliation of the Nik Lewis hit on Marc-Olivier Brouilliette? I dont think so. The Lewis hit was legal, the Hebert hit was not. If legal, players dont get enraged to defend another player, if illegal they do. I think Kyries just "lost it" in a game that was already determined. I have seen it many times - when one team is dominating another team and it is only the beginning of the fourth quarter, it can get ugly fast and it did in Calgary.dddddddddddd. To the players credit, Kyries Heberts apologetic comments and Jon Cornishs calm and thought out explaining why was impressive. As much as a Calgary home win could be predicted and a dominant Bomber win is a unique surprise, Im not sure how to evaluate the 27-20 win by Edmonton in BC. Early on, this looked like the Lions were ready and Edmonton was anything but. Three plays and six points to start a game for B.C. is an ultimate start. Yet you really have to give the Eskimos compliments because as the game moved went on, you could sense that Edmonton was getting stronger and B.C. was fading. A question and an issue going into the game and the season is: can Mike Reilly be protected through the season? Although its early and there were some individual pass rush breakdowns, it does not look like it will be a 60-sack season in Edmonton and it looks as if Reilly spent some time on a baseball diamond perfecting a second base slide. Once in the first and once in the third, Reilly could have played the hero and dove for extra yards putting his brain in jeopardy. Instead, he did the intelligent response and slid into second to stay in the game. No one touched him, there was no brain injury risk and it was a nice, mature play. One thing Reilly must do is tell his new running back Tyler Thomas to learn how to pass block and who to pass block. Thomas took the job from Hue Charles and looked as fast and quick as anticipated. But he was beaten physically for a hit on the quarterback and again mentally for a hit on his quarterback. Thats one aspect of his game that must improve ASAP as someones help depends on it. Another player that caught my eye was Dexter McCoil – a linebacker who was a previous safety. Sometimes a player just looks too athletically good not to think there is a spot for him somewhere. McCoil runs like a 511" guy and has long arms to compliment the speed. Edmonton went into the game without J.C. Sherritt - their best middle linebacker. Now Im not saying McCoil is the next Sherritt, but depending on ratio there has to be a place for him on game day. For BC, this was a tough loss. Next week theyre in Montreal to play an Als team that also needs to bounce back. BC allowed a fake field goal for a first down and a fake kick-off to lose possession. That should never happen.Finally, Ticats and Riders. The 31-10 final flatters the Ticats, as I have not seen a more dominant performance by one team in an opener in a long time. Running back Anthony Allen looked confident in his first game as a Rider. Im not sure if the Riders will find the next Weston Dressler but just may have found the next Kory Sheets. Allan is a big back and has the patience and explosive ability when the opportunity presents itself. Now one game doesnt create a confident reality, but it seems with 27 carries for 158 yards in difficult weather, Allen is off to a great start. To say this will be a difficult week for Kent Austin and his Ticats is stating the obvious. There next two games are at Edmonton and at Calgary and then the home opener at Tim Hortons Field. What do you do? How do you approach the work week after being physically abused on both offensive and defensive lines? Because its only Game 1, I do think you have confront yourself and learn from your mistakes. I would not want to be in the video meetings with the Ticats. Just like the Argonauts, this next week will say a lot not only about Hamiltons talent and character. The single biggest issue is quarterback protection. Now its not as simple as blocking better. Protection is a combination of quarterback skill, pass blocking design, route running and running back toughness. All four elements come into play for a pass play to produce perfection. The next two games will say a lot. Finally, Ill enjoy watching the Ottawa Redblacks play come Thursday night in Winnipeg. I believe for this league to make it, Ottawa must thrive as a CFL city (and a 10th city must be found out East). As the nations capital, you must have a good team and as a country you must include one of the hidden gems of our country along the East Coast. Looking forward to Thursday night. 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