Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry Fraser wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Kevin Pamphile Jersey .ca! Hey Kerry, Maybe my views are just biased, but I am having a really hard time understanding the calls that the refs are making in this series. I realize that past performances from players like Burrows and Lapierre are being taken in to account to ensure the games integrity, but last game was an embarrassment for the officials. Consistency is non-existent and I feel like the officials are more concerned with making sure that they dont fall subject to a cheap diving call than actually calling the play on the ice. My question is: Does the NHL review every game with officials? If so, who do they meet with and do you feel like these meetings are causing these discrepancies? Andrew Buckley --- Hello Kerry, I have really enjoyed reading your responses in this column throughout the playoffs. Its not often that we get to hear from a referees perspective. Sure hope this feature continues during the regular season next year. My question is... Similar to coaches with their teams, do referees (or their supervisors) review game video and do post-game analysis of calls made or missed? Is there some type of performance evaluation after each game? Kind Regards,B. Wiebe --- I thought they were the same crew. I did not notice the changes, but what I want made mandatory is the head official must meet with the media after the games, just like coaches and players Ken Hi Andrew, "B" and Ken: There is no question in my mind that the excessive "diving/embellishment" that has gone on throughout the playoffs has carried over into this series and is contributing to a consistency problem; both real and perceived. I have observed players snap their head back so hard in an attempt to fool the referee Im surprised they dont end up on the injured list with whiplash. Andrew, you specifically mentioned Burrows and Lapierre from the Canucks as known offenders in this category. We could compile a lengthy list beyond just these two. Even the potential Conn Smythe winner, Tim Thomas (regardless of who wins the Cup) would be included on my list. Last night, as I watched the game from home as an observer, I heard Pierre McGuire make an astute comment from his position between the glass at ice level with regard to the embellishment that was taking place. Pierres point was that the referees were not about to be fooled at that time in the game by the embellishment of Burrows and others. He went so far as to suggest that it could even work against them. My esteemed colleague stole my thought. While Alexandre Burrows has been an extremely effective player throughout this series his antics last night sent me over the edge. I immediately fired off an e-mail to Pierre and the other TSN talent that was at the game to share my officiating thought process. This is what that e-mail said: "The embellishment/diving that has been committing is beyond embarrassing. If I was on the ice, the next time a player took a flip, Id throw dirt on him!" When a player (any player) demonstrates a lack of legitimacy in being fouled the referee will tighten the standard on that particular player and the noose. If he is legitimately fouled and continues with his usual embellishment on the play it would not be unusual to expect that a diving penalty would also be called and nullify what would have been a power play for his team. This would hold the player accountable and in effect maintains the integrity of the game. TSN analyst and friend Bob McKenzie picked up on this and commented on the panel that Burrows and Lapierre were behaving in such a way that they werent doing themselves any favours and it would be difficult for them to get a legitimate call go their way because of the embellishment(s). This series isnt over yet and players from both sides have placed themselves in a position with the referees working the series where doubt will be created every time they fall down. They will have to live with the consequences of the perception they have created. Terry Gregson, vice president of officiating, is overseeing the officials performance and monitoring the series. Terry conducts a meeting with the officials on the day of the game (or evening before) to offer direction, update the crew as to any series developments that might be of concern or require an adjustment in their standard or focus of attention. Hockey operations is generally involved in these pre-game meetings so Mike Murphy would most likely also add his perspective. When the game ends the officials are given a DVD for their personal review of their performance. Gregson would discuss anything pertinent to their performance or happenings in the game that might require clarification or provide his assessment. For the most part his post-game discussion will be kept positive in nature knowing that his officials will perhaps be called upon to work additional games in the series. These are the last men standing from the entire officiating staff. As such, the officials are assigned in pairings at the start of the series through Game 6. Game 7 is assigned if necessary and could result in breaking up of the original pairings. Ken would like to see the head official available to the media no differently than the players and coaches are. I spoke about postgame media access to the officials at length in a previous column. Several of you commented that you did not want the officials available to the media for interviews. I can tell you that following the posting of that article I received personal e-mails from more than one member of the media that are covering the series. They all wished that a pool reporter had access (when needed) to speak with the officials on a disputed play so that they could offer up both sides of an argument; which as one professional stated, "is what we should be doing as journalists." I know many of the media personally and can attest to just how professional and fair they are. I believe media members should have access Ken, even if the head official you speak of is Gregson. He could keep the game officials out of the spotlight yet respond as a person of knowledge to media questions concerning the officiating.After Game 6 my hope is that all we have to talk about is the exciting game we witnessed. Adrian Clayborn Buccaneers Jersey . -- Kevin Harvick has a second straight shot at winning from the pole at Kansas Speedway. Akeem Spence Womens Jersey . After trading sets, Halep trailed 2-1 in the decider but broke Stosurs serve twice to win the last five games. Halep repeatedly moved Stosur into the corners and finished off several points with perfect shots down the line.CALGARY - Peter Maher has called his last game for the Calgary Flames. Maher, the radio voice of the Flames since they moved to Alberta from Atlanta in 1980, announced his retirement from broadcasting at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. He called over 3,100 NHL games in his career without missing an assignment. He most recently did play-by-play announcing for radio station The Fan 960. "Since arriving in Calgary in September of 1980, I have thousands, maybe milllions of people to thank for this wonderful ride that Ive had living the dream," Maher said.Lavonte David Buccaneers Jersey. Flames president and CEO Ken King said a tribute to Maher is being planned for next season. Maher was well known in Calgary for his catchphrases "Yeah, baby!" and "You can put it in the win column!" He called the Flames lone Stanley Cup win in 1989 and Canadas gold-medal win over the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. ' ' '
