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, This may sound like a silly question but Im watching Anaheim and Vancouver Monday night and during a stoppage of play, I noticed that when the linesman Brian Mach No. 78, had gone over to help Eddie Lack with a small equipment issue with his chest protector - his fight strap was undone! I thought jerseys must be "tied down" properly at all times. Does this rule not apply to goalies? Thanks for all you do - the best to ever ref the NHL!Rachel Tilton Hi Rachel: Thank you for the kudos. All players of each team must be dressed uniformly with approved design and color of their team uniform. Altered uniforms of any kind, i.e. Velcro inserts, over-sized jerseys, altered collars, etc., will not be permitted. Any player or goalkeeper not complying with this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game. A players jersey must be "tied down" properly at all times as per rule 9.3. It is very difficult to detect if a player is not properly tied down unless he becomes involved in an altercation. The only time that a penalty applies to a player not properly tied down is if he engages in a fight and his jersey is removed completely off his torso, in which case a game misconduct is assessed (46.13). The exception to this application is when the opponent has been identified as the instigator; a game misconduct shall not be assessed regardless as to whether or not the player (non-instigator) was properly tied down. I have seen players who do not expect to fight (typically skilled players) participate in the game without tying down their jerseys. While this makes little sense, it their prerogative as it is next to impossible for the referee to detect (goalkeeper included). Specific to goalkeepers no inserts or additions are to be added to the standard goalkeeper-cut jersey as produced by the manufacturer unless approved by the League. In addition goalkeepers are not allowed any "tying down" of the sweater at the wrists if it creates a tension across the jersey such that a "webbing effect" is created in the armpit area. No other tie downs are allowed that create a webbing effect." The length of a jersey is illegal if it covers any area between the goalkeepers legs. In short, any excessive material that would provide the goalkeeper with added coverage of his net is not permitted. Unless a goalkeeper intended to fight during the game he would likely not snap the tab on the back of pants. Willian Jersey . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21. Victor Moses Chelsea Jersey . After not scoring 40 points in the opening quarter in the last five seasons, the Rockets have done it five times this season and twice in the last three games. http://www.chelseafcproshop.com/Kids-Antonio-Rudiger-Jersey/ . The deal will pay Hainsey $3 million for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons and $2.5 million in 2016-17. Ruben Loftus-Cheek Jersey .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. Alvaro Morata Jersey . "Canada," Bolland said with a smile. "Is that a question?" One day earlier, though, fellow Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri wasnt so sure his home and native land could pull off the win against the United States in the semi-finals of the Olympic hockey tournament. INDIANAPOLIS -- The Wizards were tired of getting shoved around in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So on Tuesday night, Marcin Gortat and his teammates pushed back hard. Gortat delivered the best playoff game of his career, 31 points and 16 rebounds, and John Wall scored a playoff-best 27 points as Washington routed the Indiana Pacers 102-79 to cut the Eastern Conference semifinals deficit to 3-2. "We dont have anything to lose now," Gortat said. "We play desperate. At the end of the day, we might lose. We have to play every minute of every game like its the last one of the season." The Wizards made a stunning turnaround after losing three straight, two on their home court in incredibly demoralizing fashion. Washington scored a franchise-low 63 points in Game 3 and then blew a 19-point, second-half lead in Game 4. Washington refused to let it happen again this time, earning a trip home for Game 6 on Thursday. The difference was obvious. Wall broke free, Gortat dominated the middle and the motivated Wizards were simply overwhelming inside with a 62-23 rebounding edge. Gortat produced more points and rebounds in 36 minutes than he had in the previous two games combined (six points and 13 rebounds). He was 13 of 15 from the field, 5 of 7 from the free-throw line, tied his career-best point total and finished with playoff career bests for points and rebounds. "I was a decoy in Game 3 and Game 4," the 30-year-old Polish native said. "(Tuesday) was the time for me to perform. At some point in the second half, it was just fun to be in the game." Wall seemed to enjoy himself, too. The much more aggressive point guard went 11 of 20 from the field and 3 of 6 on 3s, finishing with five rebounds, five assists and five turnovers as he sliced through the Pacers defence. "They didnt stop me from being aggressive on both ends," Wall said. "But the biggest thing was just the way we played in the third quarter. They outscored us by like 40 in the other four games, so the third quarter was big for us tonight." The 31-14 disparity during those 12 minutes completely changed the game, putting talk about the presumed conference finals rematch between Indiana and two-time defending NBA champ Miami temporarily on hoold.dddddddddddd One possible explanation for what happened to the Pacers was fatigue. Four of Indianas five starters played at least 39 minutes in Game 4. Coach Frank Vogel was concerned enough that he gave the Pacers a day off Monday. David West led Indiana with 17 points and six rebounds, but Paul George struggled after playing 46 minutes in Game 4. He was 5 of 15 from the field with 15 points, one rebound, two assists and four turnovers. But the problems went much deeper that weariness. West was only the starter to grab more than two rebounds, Washington held Indiana to 39 per cent shooting and they continually beat the Pacers to loose balls. This was not what Indiana expected. "We didnt show up to play. I dont know if we just thought we were going to come in here and these guys were going to roll over or what. They just played at a different level than we did all night," West said after Indianas second-worst home playoff loss in its NBA history. "Its a tough situation. We have to be able to handle these moments. We had no zip. We have to play. If we want this series, we have to take it." Washington was the team doing that Tuesday. The Wizards used a 15-6 run to close the half, turning a 32-30 deficit into a 45-38 lead. In the disastrous third quarter, Indiana was outrebounded 18-4 and the Wizards made them pay time after time. Washingtons 6-0 run extended the lead to 11, a 9-2 spurt pushed the margin to 60-45, and when the Wizards closed the third on a 10-3 charge, it was 76-52. Washington led by as much as 30 in the fourth, and the Pacers didnt even start cutting into the deficit until Vogel pulled his starters midway through the quarter. "Theyre not ready to go home," coach Randy Wittman said. "It said 3-1, which doesnt sound very good, but in our minds, were very close to it being something else. They dont want this (season) to end." Notes: Washington is 5-1 on the road and 1-3 at home in this years playoffs. ... Indianas worst home playoff loss came April 30, 2005 when Boston won 110-79. ... The Wizards have won two of their last three in Indy despite coming into the series with 12 consecutive losses at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. ... Indianas 23 rebounds were a franchise low in the playoffs. ' ' '