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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, I follow CMon Ref faithfully and I couldnt help but notice the classic example in your last two columns where a large number of fans are quick to recite the rule book when a call goes in their teams favour - and equally as quick to pass off the written rule as nitpicky when a potential call would go against their team. My question has to do with the rules - when theyre applied, bent, or even ignored by officials. During Thursdays Pens-Flyers game, Simon Despres laid a questionable hit on Sean Couturier and was penalized. Phillys R.J. Umberger then challenged Despres resulting in a tussle. So we end up with five and two to Despres, and five to Umberger with Philly going to the power play. Obviously, Despres knew he was going to have to answer since players are expected to fight even after clean hits, but why would Umberger not be given an instigator minor based on the written rule (obvious retribution for a previous incident in the game)? Not that Im a fan of this rule, and I do like a good scrap, but if the league is trying to get the fighting out, and thats basically the purpose of the rule, why would they not use it? Thanks, Art Goddard - Edmonton --- Art, Thank you very much for your loyal following of Cmon Ref. I read most of the blogger comments and have to agree that fans often interpret or apply the rules to their teams advantage. The referees are directed by the Officiating and Hockey Operations Departments to apply an expected standard of enforcement for each rule. The literal interpretation of the written word can sometimes vary from what is expected. The instigator rule is one that is usually applied with a very loose standard. To be perfectly honest, it is very seldom applied unless blatantly obvious. R.J. Umberger engaged Simon Despres from close proximity following the hit on Sean Couturier and as result of Despres awareness and quick response with his gloves off, Umberger avoided being assessed an instigator penalty. You hit the nail on the head, Art when you stated that Despres knew he was going to have to answer the bell. Umberger did not have to travel an extended distance to engage Despres; nor did he throw the first punch or drop his gloves first. Instead a two-handed push by R.J. with his gloves into Despres chest sounded the bell. Despres immediately dropped his gloves, grabbed onto Umbergers jersey and the fight was on. Even though the fight was initiated in retribution for the hit on Coutouier, the events as I described here did not cross the line for the refs to apply the instigator penalty. It needs to be much more obvious than this event. given the standard that is seldom applied. 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"Theyre playing amazing right now," Golden State guard Stephen Curry said. "Thats the best in the league right now." San Antonio (59-16) extended its league-leading record to four games over the Thunder (54-19) ahead of their matchup Thursday night in Oklahoma City. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was able to rest his core players with his team leading by as many as 26 points and never trailing after the opening three minutes. "Our minutes stayed low and its just like Pop likes it, so well see what happens tomorrow (against Oklahoma City)," Duncan said. Duncan played only 20 minutes and Parker 28. Both sat out the entire fourth quarter. After struggling with his outside shot for much of the season, Duncan is regaining his soft touch just in time for San Antonios 17th consecutive post-season appearance. He finished 7 for 11 from the field, including 6-for-7 shooting in the first half on a series of soft jumpers, bank shots and a dunk. "The Big Dog is always a key for us," Spurs reserve post Jeff Ayres said. "We pretty much go as he goes. If hes hooping like that, it just lifts everybody up. It opens everything up for everybody else." Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills scored 13 points apiece, Marco Belinelli had 12 and Kawhi Leonard 11. San Antonio swept the four-game season series against Golden State and has won 31 straight at home against the Warriors, the Spurs longest active winning streak against any team. Klay Thompson finished with 15 points and Stephen Curry 11 for Golden State, which was playing on the second night of back-to-back games. The "Splash Brothers" struggled offensively, especially in the first half against San Antonios perpetual motion. "Just the way they move the ball," Curry said. "It seems like theyre always on the attack. They force you to make decisions on both ends of the floor." Marreese Speights scored 22 points and fellow reserve Jordan Crawford added 16 points for Golden State. With the Warriors missing Andrew Bogut, David Lee and Festus p;Ezeli, Speights provided the team with a needed boost inside.dddddddddddd He was 10 for 16 from field and had nine rebounds in 30 minutes. "Coach keeps giving me a chance, and Im just trying to make the best out of it," Speights said. "Coach is a good coach and he finds guys and gets the best out of them." Popovich found a way to do the same after screaming for a timeout 69 seconds into the game after a turnover and missed 21-foot jumper by Duncan put San Antonio in a 4-0 hole. San Antonio responded to their coachs directions with a 14-2 run as Parker and Duncan essentially turned the teams fluid ball movement into a two-man game. Duncan made his next four attempts on a tip follow, dunk, reverse layup and baby hook. Parker assisted on two of Duncans baskets and made a 3-foot jumper, two free throws and finished with a layup and a 14-6 lead with 6:46 remaining. "We didnt get off to a quick start," Duncan said. "For the first couple of minutes we were kind of sputtering out of there, but we got some shots to go. (We got) some stops to go and kind of got ourselves a lead there." After shooting a combined 5 for 13 in opening half, the "Splash Brothers" found their range in the third quarter to rally Golden State. They opened the quarter shooting 4 for 6, with Thompson hitting a pair of 3-pointers and Curry adding his only one of the game. Thompsons second 3-pointer pulled Golden State within 71-61 with 6:23 remaining in the third. Speights hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 74-67 with 4:30 remaining. San Antonio responded as it has throughout its winning streak, using player and ball movement to close the quarter on a 16-6 run following Thompsons 3. "Theyre pros," Popovich said. "They just kept playing. They tried to be solid. Theres going to be runs in a 48-minute NBA game. With all the possessions, youre not going usually keep a lead like that. (Warriors) made a run and we responded well." NOTES: San Antonio has not lost at home to Golden State since a 108-94 defeat on Feb. 14, 1997. ... Spurs F Matt Bonner (right calf strain), F Austin Daye (mild left lat strain) and C Aron Baynes (fractured right rib) did not play, leaving the Spurs with only Duncan, Splitter and Jeff Ayres standing 6-foot-9 or taller. Popovich is unsure when Bonner will return. ... San Antonio Express-News writer Mike Monroe received the Phil Jasner lifetime achievement award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '