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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. 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 Roger Maris Jersey . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one. Cheap Keith Hernandez Jersey . On Sunday, head coach Patrick Roy said the teams leading scorer will skate at Mondays morning practice and the club will make a decision on his status for Game 6 at that point. http://www.cheapstlouiscardinalsjerseys.com/ . The 22-year-old slugger, who is no stranger to adversity, made up for it at the end. Cheap Whitey Herzog Jersey . -- At the beginning of training camp, Andrew Bogut set a goal to play all 82 regular-season games and regain his place among the NBAs best centres. Cheap Cardinals Jerseys China . Nat Borchers headed in the sole goal in the 54th minute, getting on the end of a Kyle Beckerman free kick. The defeat cost Sporting top spot in the Eastern Conference. Even a draw would have moved the Kansas City club above Columbus.Tiger Woods return to competitive golf at the Safeway Open this week after 14 months out with injuries is causing a huge stir in America. Woods has had to undergo surgery on his back three times since his last tournament, the Wyndham Championship in August last year. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. But he is now fit to play at the Napa event and could - if reports from California are true - be paired with his old rival and friend Phil Mickelson. The Golf Channels Damon Hack said: Tigers return is huge. We just did two hours on Morning Drive talking about Tiger. Tiger Woods most recent competitive round was at Sedgefield on August 23, 2015 I know several reporters who normally would be covering American Football this week but theyre taking a different turn - theyre going out to Napa, California to cover Tiger Woods return after over a year.A lot of us are anxious to see what he has at age 40, with all these back surgeries and knee surgeries, his Achilles…hes been such a dominant player but that dominant play has been absent for the last three years.There is a lot of intrigue here in the US in terms of what we expect to see. We just dont really know. Woods was a vice-captain of the victorious USA Ryder Cup team and Hack says that the former world No 1 did not look 100 per cent fit.A lot of our Golf Channel folk were out at Hazeltine lastt week for the Ryder Cup and they said he looked a little bit stiff, he said.dddddddddddd Woods and captain Davis Love III of the United States talk at the Ryder Cup He looked strong but he wasnt necessarily moving very well. Thats going to be the big question. At the age of 40 can he stand the rigours of PGA Tour life…hitting the balls he needs to, practising, travelling, playing?Hack believes Woods will measure success in Napa purely in terms of his physical state at the end of it.If he can get out of Napa without having to go off in a golf cart, without any chipping woes, that would be a huge step, he said. Woods is set to play in the Safeway Open But he has to look at this as a first step in a long process. Too many people expect him to be a top 10-type of player this weekend, or to win the tournament. This is a toe into the swimming pool.If he can walk away from the Safeway Open, either on Friday or Sunday, under his own power and in good health, thats a successful week. You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Woods confirms PGA return Tigers injury timeline Rory pleased by Woods return Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '