Rangers Carcillo Does Something Stupid That Could Cost

((HT: SomeHockeyVideos/CBC))

The New York Rangers Dan Carcillo could be gone for a while...
You, simply, do not do this...


Carcillo, understandably, got an ejection for that from linesman Scott Driscoll. And it will be Driscoll's report to the league office that will determine the length of any suspension. Some people are talking ten games, some twenty games.

Keep an eye on any references to rules 40.2 and/or 40.3
From the league rule book:

40.2 Automatic Suspension – Category I - Any player who deliberately strikes an official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an official shall be automatically suspended for not less than twenty (20) games. (For the purpose of the rule, “intent to injure” shall mean any physical force which a player or goalkeeper knew or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury.)

40.3 Automatic Suspension – Category II - Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games.

With Montreal now only down a game, it will be interesting to see how much the suspension will impact the Rangers plans from here forward in the rest of the series.

Ron MacLean Apologizes For HNIC Comments

((HT: CBC News))

First... tell the HQ what you think about this segment...


Well, if one of the best in the business offended you, Ron MacLean has apologized...

Coming from a referee like MacLean, the remarks were surprising.
And FOSG Elliotte Friedman was on set with him- and disagreed...

The reaction among French-speaking and separatist Canadians was somewhat expected:
 
An example from the Journal de Montreal op-ed piece by Rejean Tremblay...translated...

Well then, it should be forbidden to have a "Canadian" referee a game Maple Leafs or Canucks? And an American officer should not during a match between a Canadian team to an American team? Or, would be the finest of racial discrimination and prohibit a native referee Minnesota work in a game of Wild? But then, what do we do with an Albertan and Oilers and Flames? You know that in these cases, the question does not arise. 

Because for MacLean, the "Canadian" or Ontarian Dave Jackson or even an English Montreal are part of the superior race. They therefore intelligence and control of their emotions that guarantee the quality of their work. While the poor little French, he is subject to the call of the tribe.

And fan mail was somewhat hot in places...from one such letter in the Montreal Gazette:

Ron MacLean’s comments regarding the inappropriate use of French referees in the Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay game was insulting to all Canadians who respect diversity and who live in a country that claims this as a value. 

To think our so-called national broadcaster allows such divisive rhetoric is deplorable and just reinforces the fact that the CBC should have its funding cut (even though I do not support the political reasons the government uses to justify its cuts).

So, what say you about the comments... faithful reader...???

Just asking...

OSG Prem: Chelsea Down To 9 Men, Loses At Villa- The Race Tightens

((HT: BPL on NBC/Sky Sports))

How do you say everything by saying nothing...???

You're Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in your post-match q-and-a after losing a shocker at Villa Park...

Fabien Delph scored the only goal in the 1-0 win that compresses the Premier League table all over again with Arsenal and Liverpool playing Sunday and Man City with three games in hand down only 6 points...


The Blues were handed to red cards- Willian (which was somewhat questionable) and Ramires (which was reckless in his challenge of El Ahmedi). So, once Ramires got his sending off Mourinho wanted to ask questions... he never got the opportunity since he claims referee Chris Foy wouldn't even talk to him.

Afterwards, the Chosen One chose his words...


So, everything compresses...

10-man Man City beat Hull City 2-0
Seamus Coleman broke out a flop shot to help Everton beat Cardiff 2-1
Fulham got a huge win for their hopes to stay up beating Newcastle 1-0
Southampton put up 4 in a win over Norwich
Stoke put up 3 in a win over West Ham- despite Andy Carroll's return
Sunderland and Crystal Palace had a scoreless draw and solved nothing for 17th and 18th in the table
And West Brom got a huge 3 points in stealing a win at Liberty Stadium to defeat Swansea

So, the two big match-ups tomorrow will sort out just how close the top of the table will be and, maybe, Mourinho was right. He's not the favorite after all...

OSG Prem: Hull City's Bruce Probably Is Getting Fined Again...

((HT: BPL))

Hull City manager Steve Bruce thinks he got jobbed in his 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace...


On two occasions, Bruce thought Hull should have been awarded two PK's and brings up an interesting point about holding referees accountable in the media...

Don't think it'll happen, but it's an interesting point...

Allan McGregor's nutty at the end by Hull City gave them a red and a trim to 10 men...

Interesting to see what happens to the keeper there as well...

NHL Refs Miss OT Goal, Sharks Lose In Shootout...

((HT: Sportsnet))

This was one that the zebras missed last night...

Tied at fours in the San Jose-Buffalo game, the Sharks' Tommy Wingels did the following but wasn't credited for it...

The Sharks would lose in the shootout to give the Sabres some hope of something this season...

What that is, exactly, the HQ isn't sure...