NEWS » y to put Pitt away a couple of times in the

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! Kerry, what did you think of the hit that Raffi Torres laid out on Jarret Stoll on Tuesday night? I mean, he popped Stoll hard on that hit, but I cant tell if Torres just got his shoulder or in the head. Torres got two for charging, but could there be more from the league? Max Martin, Toronto Max: I must first acknowledge that Raffi Torres has done an excellent job this season in transforming his game in an effort to play within the rules; not unlike the way Matt Cooke did following his lengthy suspension. On this play however, it is my opinion that the angle of approach that Raffi Torres took ahead/to the front of Jarret Stolls center body mass in setting up to make the hit resulted in an illegal check to the head. Raffi Torres was closing in on Jarret Stoll in anticipation of making an open-ice hit but in doing so, Torres makes Stolls head the principle point of contact causing injury. While the circumstance surrounding every play is unique there can be common threads and similarities that exist for the purpose of determining suspensions. As I viewed this play I noticed distinct similarities from the criteria Brendan Shanahan used in his explanation to suspend Eric Gryba for two games. I provide quotes from that decision while inserting player name changes to appropriately reflect this current incident. "As the illegal check to head penalty (rule 48) states: A hit resulting in contact with an opponents head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. "There appears to be no malicious intent by Torres on the play. Stoll is eligible to be checked on the play and Torres does not extend an elbow or launch into the head of Stoll. However, Torres route is not correct and he does not make enough of a full body check for this hit not to qualify as an illegal check to the head. In attempting this check Torres does not hit squarely enough through the body. Stolls head is the principle point of contact and the subsequent contact to Stolls right shoulder is secondary. "It is important to note that while receiving a pass or carrying a puck anywhere on the ice a hockey player bears some responsibility to be aware of an impending check, however since the inception of the current illegal check to the head penalty, no player should expect that his head will be made the principle point of contact whether intentionally or as it appears on this play, recklessly... "Taking into account the significant contact to the head as well as the fact that Torres does not hit Stoll through the body he does not succeed with his attempt to make a legal check." - In summary, in my opinion this was an illegal check to the head. - Jarrett Stoll was ultimately injured as a result of this hit (Did not return for 3rd period). - Raffi Torres has been suspended during his career. Aside from the seriousness of the injury that Lars Eller sustained and Jarrett Stoll fortunately did not, the common threads used to describe the play and the decision rendered were just too obvious and eloquently stated by Brendan Shanahan for me to ignore.Clete Boyer Jersey . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Cito Gaston Jersey . 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With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season.CLEMSON, S.C. -- Deshaun Watson knows No. 5 Clemson wont lose its championship mindset, even after its first regular-season loss in two years.He also doesnt believe the Tigers have lost their chances at a national title.Watson said the Tigers (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) are focused on Wake Forest and the chance to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division to advance to the league title game following a stunning, 43-42 loss to Pittsburgh this past Saturday.Watson passed for an ACC record 580 yards, but also threw three critical interceptions -- two at the goal line -- as the Tigers run at a second straight perfect regular season came to a surprising end. Still, Watson said the teams title goals remain alive, particularly after No. 4 Michigan and No. 7 Washington also lost Saturday shortly a after Clemson was upset.Were still going to have the same mindset, go out there execute, dominate and try and be the best we can be, Watson said Monday. Thats not going to change.Neither has Clemsons path back to the College Football Playoff. Beat Wake Forest (6-4, 3-3), then rival South Carolina in the regular-season finale and the ACC Coastal champ (Virginia Tech and North Carolina at tied atop the division) in the conference title game, and the Tigers likely will be in the four-team playoff.Last year, Alabama won at 14-1 so theres no reason why we cant, tight end Jordan Leggett said.Wake Forest is also coming off a disappointing defeat, 44-12 at No. 3 Louisville after entering fourth quarter ahead 12-10. Demon Deacons safety Jessie Bates III said the team, like the Tigers, will return to work, watch lots of film and see what we can do against Clemson.Watson sounded at times like Clemsons first home loss since 2013 hadnt fully sunk in.We havent had too many losses, especially in college. Its new around here, he said. But you live and you learn. Yooure going to take losses.ddddddddddddWatson, a junior leaving for the NFL after this season, is 27-3 as Clemsons starter. He acknowledged his mistakes are up -- 13 interceptions this season after 15 total his first two years -- and thats cost Clemson at times.Watson is ready to bounce back at Wake Forest and try for Clemsons 10th consecutive road win, extending the school mark set three weeks ago in a 37-34 victory at Florida State. The Tigers have also won seven straight against the Demon Deacons.Weve just got to understand that weve got to go out there and earn it, he said. Were not entitled into each game knowing that were going to win it. Weve got to play four quarters and go get it.Clemson, despite its mistakes, looked ready to put Pitt away a couple of times in the final quarter. Watsons last interception came on second-and-goal at the Panthers 3. On the Tigers next drive, they failed to gain a yard on third and fourth down -tailback Wayne Gallman was stopped twice by Pitt, which allowed 630 yards overall.The Panthers cashed in on Clemsons miscues, Chris Blewitt hitting a 48-yard field goal with six seconds to go for the victory.Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said there is no good time to lose.But if you do, you learn from it and keep moving forward, he said. Its all about whats in front of us. Thats just the mentality weve had around here for a long time. One bad day is not going to change that.Watson, his right shoulder sore from a school-record 70 passes Saturday, is eager to get back to work on the Tigers championship goals.As a team, we understand what we can fix, he said. When you do all the little things, the big things take care of themselves.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '