Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn. Wholesale Kevin Durant Shoes .ca. Hi Kerry, Welcome back! Im sure you heard Peter Forsbergs comments last week regarding Canadian referees in the gold medal game. Seems to me that he was questioning the integrity and impartiality.Did you think there was anything peculiar about this decision? Thanks,Ed Hi Ed: I am thrilled that NHL hockey is back and we can all adjust our watches back to the North American time zone! Initially, I was surprised by the expletive-deleted comments Peter Forsberg made the day before the Gold Medal game and following the IIHFs selection of four North American NHL officials to work the Canada-Sweden game. Even though the officials nationality and residency slanted exclusively toward Canadian soil, the timing of Forsbergs comments (the day before the puck was dropped) caused me to pause and consider the Swedish general managers motives. Ive seen plenty of "gamesmanship" from general managers and coaches during Stanley Cup playoffs and finals, but Peter Forsbergs public comments rank up near the top of the list in attempting to gain an advantage and competitive edge. Peter was not only a world class player but I also know him to be a very intense competitor. That being said, Peter is not a stupid man and made a calculated move in hopes of gaining some advantage for his players against a highly skilled Canadian team. I believe Peters comments were designed to put the IIHF on notice in the event he felt the need to complain post-game but most importantly to plant a seed in the head of each game official hoping his team might receive the benefit of the doubt when one could be offered. It also became a story the day before the game designed to deflect some of the pressure away from Team Sweden players. I dont believe that Peter Forsberg would honestly question the integrity and impartiality of the NHL Officials that were assigned to work the game. Kelly Sutherland, Brad Meir, Derek Amell and Greg Devorski were selected on the merit of their work during the Olympics and were regarded as the very best! They are professionals in the true sense of the word. The players have more confidence in the NHL officials ability than their International counterparts. Swedish team captain Niklas Kronwall of the Detroit Red Wings believed that both teams would benefit from North American officials when he was quoted as saying, "We are used to having referees from USA and Canada in the NHL. We know their standards so I think its easier for us too if the referees are from there." And teammate Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators agreed. Prior to 1998, the IIHF would not assign an official to work a game in which his country of nationality was participating in. Only neutral officials were assigned. That changed in Nagano with the inclusion of NHL players and officials. The best officials were assigned to the games regardless of their country of nationality or residency. In response to Peter Forsbergs comments, IIHF officiating manager Konstantin Komisarov issued the following statement on the selection process; "The main factor of the selection of these officials has most of all to do with their experience officiating in high-level competitions. These include Stanley Cup playoffs, World Championship competitions and Olympic competitions. Their nationalities arent considered as factors nor should they be, we want the best officials working the medal games. We are fully confident that with their experience and professionalism these officials will do their job well and preserve the integrity of the game." Good for Konstantin Komissarov and the IIHF officiating committee for selecting the best officials to work the Gold Medal game. The officiating crew did an outstanding job and preserved the integrity of the game as Konstantin was confident they would. Last Sunday, the game was played on Olympic ice in Sochi and not in the media. Peter Forsbergs silver medal-winning Swedish team was beaten fair and square by Canada to take Gold. The officiating was a complete non-factor; regardless of county of nationality. NHL officials are clearly the best in the world. Cheap Kevin Durant Shoes . Cleveland has won the first two of this set and has won six straight games since losing back-to-back tilts to open the year. Seattle, on the other hand, has now lost six in a row following consecutive wins to kick off its campaign. Kevin Durant Shoes Free Shipping . The 25-year-old native of Milford, Conn., has 18 points in 41 games this season. The five-foot-eight 166-pound centre also has 28 points (10-18) in 15 games with AHL Oklahoma City. https://www.kevindurantshoescheap.com/ .C. -- The RBC Cups semifinal participants were decided by a pair of overtime games.PORTLAND, Ore. - Erick Torres scored in the 79th minute to help Chivas USA tie Portland 1-1 on Saturday night, leaving the Timbers winless at 0-2-4. "Were behind the 8-ball," said Portland head coach Caleb Porter. "There are plenty of examples of teams that have started out slow. But in the end, were not where we want to be, at this point, and we need to step it up." Torres scored off a cross from Leandro Barrera for his fifth goal of the season for Chivas USA (1-2-3). It was situation Porter had hoped to avoid. "Torres was the key guy, we talked about it all week," Porters said. "Hes good at getting into spots to score." Will Johnson opened the scoring for Portland in the seventh minute. He scored for the first time this year after finishing with nine goals last season. Maximiliano Urruti forced a turnover and got the ball to Darlington Nagbe, who slid a pass between two defenders and into enough open space for Johnson to run into it and knock a right-footed shot past Dan Kennedy. According to Chivas USA head coach Wilmer Cabrera, Portlands goal was helped by an error in footwear selection. Kevin Durant Shoes For Sale. "We picked the wrong shoes," Cabrera said. "Sadly, Carlos (Bocanegra) slipped, and he realized he needed to change his cleats. And then he was on the sideline in the moment that we conceded that goal. They were playing with 11, we were playing with 10, in that moment, they took advantage and they scored a goal." Portland had a late chance when Johnson had a free kick just outside the penalty area, but his shot hit the post and went out of bounds. Chivas USAs Thomas McNamara was taken off on a stretcher in the 64th minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The midfielder crumpled to the ground while running with the ball and trying to avoid Portland defenders. "Sadly, it looks pretty bad," said Cabrera. "Right now, we have to confirm, but its not promising for us. Thats the sad part of this game." Portland had its 55th straight sellout with a crowd of 20,814. ' ' '