r suspended every time he elevates his post

HAMILTON - Hes a multiple all-star, been the recipient of outstanding lineman and Canadian nominations and last year was named the top centre in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats illustrious CFL history. But on Sunday, Marwan Hage will experience a career first: playing in an East Division final. The Ticats face the defending-champion Toronto Argonauts at Rogers Centre with the winner advancing to the Grey Cup game in Regina on Nov. 24. "You just have to cherish the opportunity and give it the best shot youve got every time because it might not come around for another five-to-10 years," Hage said Thursday. "I can attest to that." Hamiltons back in the East Division final for the first time since dropping a 19-3 decision to Winnipeg in 2011. But the six-foot-two, 291-pound Hage didnt play in that game due to injury. A healthy Hage certainly enhances Hamiltons chances for success Sunday. The 32-year-old centre is responsible for calling the offensive lines blocking assignments. Hage must recognize defensive fronts and quickly figure out how to best neutralize the rush or oncoming blitz packages. Thats a challenge most games but becomes even more difficult when facing a Toronto defence headed by Argos defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones. Jones has a well-earned reputation of being very imaginative in designing blitzes to pressure opposing quarterbacks. "Hes going to switch looks on you, hes going to bring blitzes from a lot of angles and put pressure with a lot of fronts and a lot of looks," Hage said. "I rely a lot on my experience and what Ive seen. "Ive faced (Jones) a lot in the past, I study the tapes every time we play him but I have the utmost respect for his defence and some of the crazy stuff you see out there." Its easy to understand why Toronto would want to attack the Ticats offence. The unit surrendered a CFL-high 65 sacks this season and pressuring league passing leader Henry Burris could help ground the leagues second-ranked aerial attack (299.7 yards per game). But Hamilton coach Kent Austin said the sack total is deceiving. "We were obviously not good early and some of that had to do with trying to figure out what was the best lineup," Austin said. "Weve modified what weve done offensively to play more to the strengths of those guys, identify what we dont do as well and stay out of those situations as much as we can. "Just like other positions, weve improved over the course of the season. Theres a lot of reasons why (sacks) occur and theyre not all due to just one position." Austin said having a veteran like Hage at centre certainly anchors the offensive line. "Hes got a ton of experience, hes very bright," Austin said. "He gets our guys in position to be successful, he makes all the calls for us. "Hes a good, veteran, savvy presence that plays well." Austin has been innovative in designing Hamiltons offensive gameplan, using all three quarterbacks — starter Henry Burris and backups Dan LeFevour and Jeremiah Masoli — at different times of games. But Hage said having multiple players under centre hasnt created challenges for Hamiltons offensive line. "Were used to all the quarterbacks . . . it works very well for us," he said. Hamilton and Toronto have been long-time CFL rivals but will meet in the East Division final for the first time since 86. Many of Hages current teammates werent even born then. "I understand the rivalry, Ive been part of it for along time," Hage said. "But we cant play the past . . . we play for the present. "The important thing is to get to the dance, get to the championship. The Argos are the team weve got to face . . . right now, I see us doing what we have to do to try to get to the championship game." 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FLIP SAUNDERS (Timberwolves): Im not the least bit surprised that he appointed himself as head coach after his search concluded. Steven Stamkos Jersey . Alen, 28, hit .315 with five home runs, 59 RBI and a career-high nine stolen bases for the Goldeyes last season. He is the longest serving catcher in Goldeyes history, having already spent five seasons with the organization.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, Its another day and here we are looking at another dubious hit to the head. In this case Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky elbowed Saku Koivu in the head about a second after he dished off the puck to a teammate, knocking him unconscious. This week we learned that there will be no supplementary discipline handed out to Dubinsky. This seems strange to me given that we are trying to get head shots out of the game, and John Scott has just been suspended indefinitely for a very similar type of play. Can you provide any insight on the thinking that goes on in deciding not to suspend Dubinsky in this case? It makes absolutely no sense to me. Thanks! Kevin Head Kevin: There was vast discrepancy in the reporting and analysis from one team broadcast feed to the other following Brandon Dubinskys hit on Saku Koivu. The Blue Jackets viewing audience would have believed that no penalty was warranted to Dubinsky on the play as their broadcasters analyzed multiple replays with comments such as, "Is the head targeted?; Thats a good hit; all Dubinsky did was brace before the hit because Koivu was going to him with (as) the aggressor; There was no elbow up - no targeting the head; That was a good hockey play; No targeting of the head whatsoever!" Analysis from the Anaheim broadcast team offered a totally different description and perception of the play. Duck fans probably anticipated a suspension would result to Brandon Dubinsky once they heard, "Oh boy that is a brutal elbow from Brandon Dubinsky, thats right on the jaw of Saku Koivu. You see the head of Saku Koivu snap back. Im sure the people in Toronto will be taking a look at that." While the vantage point the two broadcast teams shared in the press box is relatively close in proximity to one another, their respective analysis of this play could not be farther apart. Is this just a result of team loyalty and bias that we might expect in some measure or are we really this far apart on the subject of judging and eliminating contact to the head? Have we become too desensitized to violent hits or those where the head is the main point of contact hoping against all hope that the "physicality" of the game is not lost due to player suspensions? This illustration moves beyond the broadcast booth to all elements of the hockey world with varying opinions on determining illegal hits to the head; including those shared by the Player Safety Committee. The Hockey Operations Department and the Player Safety Committeee review every play that has the potential for player suspension.ddddddddddddI am the first to admit they have a very tough and thankless job. Kevin, part of the criteria used to determine an illegal check to the head is published in Rule 48 which the Player Safety Committee must adhere to when judging a potential suspension. In this case they would reference the following from rRule 48 to make their determination: i) Whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponents body and the head was not "picked (Brandon Dubinsky is square to Saku Koivu and therefore this is not a "head pick" by definition of the rule.) ii) Whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position by assuming a posture that made head contact on an otherwise full body check unavoidable. (Saku exposed himself somewhat for a square hit after making the pass but did attempt to bring his stick up to defend just prior to frontal impact from Dubinsky) The timing of the hit would be another element that the Player Safety Committee would examine. I have to say that although interference was ultimately assessed by the Refs on the ice the contact was not unusually late or even out of the ordinary for the finish of a check in terms of the standard we have seen for supplemental discipline. We may not like the end result, but that is the most probable answer to your question why Brandon Dubinsky was not suspended for his hit to Saku Koivu. The Player Safety Committee stayed within the language of the rule and the current guidelines that have been established. I understand the current parameters being utilized by the PSC but I am jumping into the broadcast booth down the hall to voice my differing opinion. For the sake of "player safety" the criteria must change in an effort to alter current and dangerous player tendencies that are causing the train to run off the rails. I for one want to see a player suspended every time he elevates his posture upward and makes the head of his opponent the main point of contact no matter if the attack angle is squarely through an opponents body or even if that player put himself in a vulnerable position. Brandon Dubinsky, as we see on most dangerous contact, elevated through the hit and continued to elevate with an upward extension of his elbow after contact was made to the head of Saku Koivu. Further evidence of this elevation is often seen when a players skate(s) leave the ice after contact which is often deemed a "good hockey play." My criteria would be "upward to the head" and "outward" for two games minimum! That of course, would depend on which side of the broadcast booth you are sitting in. ' ' '