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, In the third period of Game 6 between the Bruins and Canadiens, Boston came within millimetres of getting one past Carey Price. Zdeno Charas shot from the point bounced off Carey Price and into the air before dropping right in the crease. David Desharnais then swept it away with his glove, but should a penalty shot have been called??? David KrastBoston David: The answer to your question is found in Rule 67 - handling the puck. Generally speaking anytime a player places his hand over the puck while it is on the ice in order to conceal if from or prevent an opponent from playing the puck, a minor penalty shall be assessed for "closing his hand on the puck". When this is done in his teams goal crease area, a penalty shot shall be assessed. More specifically to David Desharnais handling of the puck as it was about to cross the goal line following the shot by Zdeno Chara, rule 67.4 states; if a defending player, except a goalkeeper, while play is in progress, falls on the puck, holds the puck, picks up the puck, or gathers the puck into his body or hands from the ice in the goal crease area, the play shall be stopped immediately and a penalty shot shall be awarded to the non-offending team. In the application of this rule a player is allowed to bat, drag, push or sweep the puck clear of the goal crease with an open palm or closed fist so long as this action does not cover the puck in any manner. David Desharnais legally handled the puck in the goal crease area when he dove and contacted the side portion of the puck with a closed glove (tight fist versus open palm on top of the puck) and bunted/dragged the puck with a swift, forceful motion from narrowly crossing the line. This legal action by Desharnais propelled the puck away from the goal line toward and under Carey Price to stop play. It is important to note David, that had the puck had come to rest and been covered under the body of Desharnais instead of Price, a penalty shot would have resulted. It was a tremendous defensive play by the Montreal forward to prevent a sure goal through the legal use of his hand on the puck inside the goal crease. Referee Kelly Sutherland also did an outstanding job to attack the net along the goal line as this play developed and then to wave off a potential goal and penalty shot from his final location directly behind the net. As a result of Sutherlands attack angle and close finish behind the net, the referee was able to clearly determine that the puck had not crossed the goal line nor had Desharnais covered the puck with his hand or body. On this crucial play inside the goal crease, referee Sutherland demonstrated excellent visual awareness to read the play and then quickly move his feet to gain the optimum position to render the correct call. Game 7 back in Boston should be a real dandy. Germaine Pratt Youth Jersey . The best round belonged to Pat Perez. Tiger Woods didnt come close to claiming either Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open, where the seven-time champion failed to break par in the opening round for first time in his career. Anthony Munoz Bengals Jersey . Phoenix got injured centre Emeka Okafor and a top-12-protected first-round draft pick in 2014 -- giving the rebuilding Suns potentially four choices in the opening round. The Suns also sent guards Kendall Marshall, Shannon Brown and Malcolm Lee to Washington so the deal will work financially. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Aj-Green-Jersey/. -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. Michael Jordan Womens Jersey . Inter Milan ended its five-match winless streak in all competitions by beating 10-man Bologna 3-1 on new manager Claudio Ranieris debut, while injury-plagued AC Milan edged Cesena 1-0 with an early goal from Clarence Seedorf. Germaine Pratt Bengals Jersey .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League.ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection. "Hes looking for a perfect play all the time, and shooters got to shoot it," Beilein said. "Sometimes whats a bad shot for others is a really good shot for him." Stauskas scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half Sunday, repeatedly making contested shots from the perimeter to help the 20th-ranked Wolverines to a 79-70 win over 13th-ranked Michigan State. Michigan rallied from an 11-point first-half deficit and wrested first place in the Big Ten from its in-state rival. "I just came out with the mindset in the second half that I wasnt going to be stopped," Stauskas said. "Once I made a couple shots, it kept going from there." Caris LeVert added 23 points for the Wolverines (19-7, 11-3), who won both regular-season meetings against Michigan State and six of the last eight games in the series. The Spartans (22-6, 11-4) started well, but were only up 36-34 at halftime. Then Stauskas and LeVert led a second-half charge. The Wolverines trailed 52-51 before going on a 13-0 run that sent the Crisler Center crowd into delirium. Michigan scored 45 points in the second half Sunday -- after blitzing the Spartans for 50 after halftime in an 80-75 win in East Lansing last month. "The first game, I was very proud of our effort. This game, we looked tired," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "Im not very proud of our effort." Gary Harris scored 21 points for the Spartans. The victory gives Michigan a chance to earn its second Big Ten title in three years after tying for the championship in 2012. The Wolverines have home games against Minnesota and Indiana, as well as trips to Purdue and Illinois. Michigan State has home games against Illinois and Iowa followed by a trip to Ohio State. Stauskas was terrific in Michigans win at Michigan State last month, but he had not scored more than 16 points in a game since then. Perhaps he was letting opposing teams take him out of the offence too easily, but at 6-foot-6, if Stauskas makes up his mind that hhes going to shoot, he usually can.dddddddddddd. With the Wolverines down 48-43, Stauskas scored seven straight points to give Michigan the lead. When the Spartans edged back ahead by one, Stauskas answered with a 3-pointer, and it soon become clear that there wasnt much Michigan State could do to keep him from shooting over defenders on the perimeter. A 3-pointer by Stauskas from the right wing put Michigan ahead 59-52, then LeVert added a 3-pointer and a dunk. With the Spartans wearing down, Jon Horford dunked for Michigan to make it 68-56 -- and that ended a stretch of 23 straight Michigan points by Stauskas or LeVert. Michigan fans serenaded the Spartans with a chant of "little brother" toward the end. The Spartans have battled injuries throughout this season -- Adreian Payne and Brandon Dawson missed the first meeting with Michigan. Dawson was still out Sunday with his broken hand, but Payne is back, and he had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Keith Appling, who has been dealing with a wrist problem, scored only six points for Michigan State. "Yeah, I fell on the wrist again, but I couldnt come out of the game," Appling said. "Its very frustrating right now, because there are things I just cant do, but I cant let that be an excuse. Im the quarterback of this team, like coach always says, and I have to be out there leading." Michigan, of course, has been playing without big man Mitch McGary for over two months, but the Wolverines have overcome his back-related absence thus far. Glenn Robinson III scored 15 points Sunday, including an alley-oop dunk from a driving Stauskas that made it 72-61. Michigan State made 17 shots from 3-point range in its previous game against Purdue, and the Spartans were locked in early in this one. Payne dunked on freshman Zak Irvin while drawing a foul, and the three-point play gave Michigan State a 22-11 lead. The Wolverines responded with a 10-0 run that included 3-pointers by Spike Albrecht and LeVert and a breakaway dunk by Irvin. LeVert scored 14 points in the first half, and his 3-pointer in the final seconds cut Michigan States lead to two. ' ' '