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, Always a pleasure; really enjoy your column. Keep up the good work. In the Bruins/Panthers game Tuesday with less than 10 seconds to play, Tim Thomas - clearly frustrated - took a swipe at Soderberg with his stick. He was assessed a two-minute minor for high sticking. I am curious as to why this was not a match penalty and perhaps even a suspendable action. It seems to me had a skater done a similar action, as blatant as it was, it would be deemed as such. I believe this would fall under Rule 60.4, but am not certain. Can you please comment on this play and explain what the ref/linesman saw (or failed to see), to deem it a mere minor high sticking penalty? Thank you (I was trying to work the word qualm in there somewhere, since I know you like it so much)! Dear Anonymous Friend: I have no qualms in telling you that Tim Thomas deserved a match penalty under Rule 60.4 for the one-handed tomahawk swing with his heavy goalie stick paddle to the neck of Bruins forward Carl Soderberg. Regardless of the score or time in the game, or whether the blow was in retaliation for Thomas being contacted on the shoulder by Soderbergs stick inside the blue paint, a match penalty was warranted based solely on the degree of force and especially the location of the blow with the goal stick to the neck of Soderberg. While no apparent injury resulted to Soderberg this was a very dangerous play that should be addressed by the Player Safety Committee. At the very least, a substantial fine should be levied to Tim Thomas even if that Committee does not deem the stick swing to be worthy of a suspension. It is acknowledged in the rules that a goalkeepers unique equipment is not only designed to provide protection and to stop the puck but that when used in an altercation can do considerable damage to an opponent. For that reason, Rule 51.3 provides that a match penalty must be assessed if, in the judgment of the referee, a goalkeeper uses his blocking glove to punch an opponent in the head or face in an attempt to deliberately injure an opponent. The manner in which Tim Thomas used his heavy goalie stick last night falls well within the spirit and intent of the match penalty rule. The reason the referee most likely assessed only a minor penalty on this stick swing was based on his obstructed view from behind the goal line against the end boards. I continually state this not the best location to view plays in and around the goal crease; as a matter of fact it is often the worst position for a referee to stand! I want you to look at the replay clip again; only this time through the eyes of the referee that made the call from behind the goal line. Tim Thomas swing was very quick and accelerated in real-time but most importantly, the ref, from his position, was looking directly through Brian Campbells back as Thomas stick made contact with Soderberg. Campbell then wrestled Soderberg to the ice so both players were now directly in the referees sight line. There was also a minor log jam of players out in front of the net (especially Tom Gilbert and Chris Kelly) that could have prevented the linesmen and the other referee from seeing the full force of Tim Thomas stick blow to Soderbergs neck. As quickly as it can happen, the full effect of a play can be missed or greatly diminished without the best sightline. I have no qualms admitting it, friend! Swell Lahev Cz . -- Canadian Erik Bedard pitched into the fifth inning in his bid to win a spot in Tampa Bays rotation, helping the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 on Saturday. Swell Levně .com) - Kam Chancellor bobbed his head in celebration as he crossed the goal line on his game-clinching 90-yard interception return. http://www.swelllahevcz.com/ . Anderson is scheduled to have neck surgery April 8 to repair the injury, which occurred when he collided with the Celtics Gerald Wallace during a game in Boston on Jan. 3. The 6-foot-10 Pelicans forward, who had been averaging 19.SAN FRANCISCO -- Adam Wainwright will take the win and run. On a night he managed only a season low for strikeouts, the St. Louis right-hander still found ways to dominate. Wainwright allowed four hits over 7 2-3 innings, Matt Carpenter continued to feast on San Francisco pitching, and the Cardinals ended a scoring drought, beating the Giants 2-0 Wednesday night. "To come away with a way on a night I walked the pitcher, Ill run out of here," Wainwright said. "That was a big win for us." Carpenter had three hits and drove in a run, improving to .520 (26 for 50) against the Giants to help the Cardinals end a three-game losing streak. Matt Holliday added two hits and an RBI. "I dont think there is any rhyme or reason to it," Carpenter said. "I stay with the same approach and just try to help the team." Wainwright (11-4) took over the NL lead in ERA (1.89) and wins. He walked two and struck out one and his infielders combined to record 18 outs. "I was aware of that," Wainwright said. "Im getting outs, so why change? When you start thinking about strikeouts, then you start going deeper into counts. Guys were making great plays and laying out left and right." The closest the Giants came to scoring was in the eighth, when Tyler Colvin sent a drive to the wall in centre field and defensive replacement Peter Bourjos hauled it in. Joe Panik, who had two hits, was the lone Giant to venture past first base, reaching third with two outs in the sixth and again with two outs in the eighth. Ryan Vogelsong (5-5) gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out eight. Vogelsong lost his second straight start despite a 2.08 ERA with a walk and 15 strikeouts over that span. "He had all his pitches going, good tempo out there," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "For him to give up two runs, seven innings, thats a great job." The Cardinals ended a 26-inning scoreless streak by scoring twice in the thiird.dddddddddddd Oscar Tavares doubled and Mark Ellis singled. After a strikeout, Carpenter and Holliday each singled in runs. Carpenter has hit safely in 14 of his 16 games against the Giants, including the last 10 10. "Were still trying to figure out a way to score runs," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Those were big RBIs there. It lets Wainwright do what he does. Its no secret hes the guy we want on the mound." Vogelsong retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced, allowing one hit the rest of his outing. "It doesnt matter, its a loss," Vogelsong said. "Im tired of talking about stuff. Its all about wins and losses now and getting to the playoffs. It doesnt matter what the stuff is. Its about getting wins." Wainwright faced just two over the minimum until Panik singled with two outs in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Hector Sanchez also singled and Pat Neshek came on to get Gregor Blanco to pop out. Trevor Rosenthal got the final three outs for his 25th save in 28 chances after giving up an infield hit to Hunter Pence to start the ninth. Pence was originally ruled out, but the call was reversed following a review. NOTES: Tavares made his first MLB appearance in CF. ... Cardinals RHP Joe Kelly (left hamstring strain) will make at least one more rehab start. ... RHP Carlos Martinez (1-3, 4.13) gets the start for the Cardinals on Thursday. The Cardinals are unbeaten in his first three starts. ... LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-5, 2.90) starts for the Giants in the series finale. Hes 3-3 in six career starts against the Cardinals. ... Giants OF Angel Pagan (lower back strain) will receive an epidural Thursday morning in Los Angeles before rejoining the team. Hell rest through the weekend. ... Giants 1B Brandon Belt (thumb) is expected to be activated from the DL when the Giants open a series in San Diego on Friday. ... Cardinals 1B Matt Adams went hitless in four at bats, ending a career-best eight-game hitting streak. ' ' '