Player Safety has had it easy with no suspensions in nearly two months... until this week. Tampa's Cernak gets an elbow up, Lyubushkin gets away with a hook that was sold hard by Stamkos, Kadri gets tossed, Larkin fined for crosschecking, Chicago's Patrick Kane gets clock blocked, and we look at some possible future tech fixes for the NHL.    More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com ..read more

It's all about knocking things off this week, whether it's Jamie Benn and Brad Marchand battling in front of the net or the goal frame literally getting knocked off its pegs. We saw displaced nets result in a disallowed goal and a penalty shot this week. Plus, a first for Sidney Crosby as he gets tossed for complaining to the refs, and a near-offside on an overtime Habs winner. More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - h ..read more

The New York Rangers and Calgary Flames take us out of the All-Star Break and back in to the regular season with a bang! Or two or three -- all legal. The Flames kick one in, ref Kelly Sutherland gives a masterclass in penalty announcements, Benn goes bucketless, and no awarded goal for Rangers on an empty net. Plus, Pens' Carter takes out Avs' Makar with a hit to the head. No penalty, no fine, no suspension.  More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and ..read more

The All-Star Break is here, which means some time off for the stripes! Koharski (not that one) retires, Zegras picks up a dime for some choice words, Leafs' Keefe butts heads with McCauley again, and a a new take on mic'd up refs in the NCAA -- will the NHL follow suit? More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS!   ..read more

A midseason refresher on some rules, including a high stick from Montreal's Matheson, a goal from Arizona's Schmaltz on a displaced net, and a missed interference call on a sneaky Malkin stick push, along with a fine to the Coyotes' Valimaki, and an officiating injury update.  Todd and Josh also review a penalty call on the Jets' Schmidt that appeared to come via review -- and what exactly caused all that confusion, and how the NHL and the refs can fix it.  C'mon, stripes, get on the mic!  More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Vis ..read more

Penny for your thoughts? Panthers head coach Paul Maurice is out $25,000 for his. Pittsburgh's Mike Sullivan also vents his frustrations, Ovi hammers Pageau, Gudas called for a charge, Matheson's 'reverse hit' goes unpenalized, a Panthers goal stands despite Tkachuk in the crease, and a Kane vs. Kucherov battle draws a mysterious review and injures a linesman at Lightning vs. Oilers. Plus, Todd and Josh revisit the debate about officials taking accountability and facing media availability. More on these plays, including video clips and rule breakdowns, at scoutingtherefs.com Visit www.scouting ..read more

The Oilers get called for a Too Many Men penalty with five skaters on... wait, what? We recap a busy Thursday, with three goalie helmets coming off - one resulting in a penalty on the Stars' Oettinger and a goal against the Coyotes' Vejmelka - a Wings goal denied for a kicked puck, a Sergachev sucker punch, a Keller cross-check, Matt Murray tests his net, while another comes off the pegs on a good goal for Vegas against the Panthers.  Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.co ..read more

The Toronto Maple Leafs are out $125K for comments 'demeaning to officials' and some questionable travel plans. Linesmen Chad and Cody Huseby made their unexpected NHL debuts, a major for Canada's Dean at the WJC, Wild's Shaw sits for kneeing, Flames' Weegar hits Oilers' McDavid with no penalty, and - now boarding - Kings' Fiala on  Newhook... plus, a New Years' Resolution for the league.  Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyref@scoutingtherefs.com Call the RefLine at 585-484-REFS ..read more

It's an international incident as Team USA has two goals overturned against Canada at the World Juniors due to goaltender interference. We take a look at the two plays and the IIHF rulebook. That's using your head as Caps' Strome scores off a bucket, Zegras breaks his stick then steals an opponent's -- you can't do that -- Boston's Brad Marchand gets called for a stick slam, and nothing coming for Draisaitl's slash on linesman Ryan Galloway... and don't forget to #VoteForWes! Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your ..read more

Heading into the holidays with a look at who's been nice - Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Maker, for sure - and who's been naughty. Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting has a run-in with linesman Dan Kelly, San Jose's Hertl's stick gets him a seat for two, Lightning's Sergachev delivers a $5000 slash, Jersey's Haula called for a stick toss, and the dreaded 'intent to blow' no-goal call from Bruins/Panthers...  Plus, a ref reminder on a hot mic. Visit www.scoutingtherefs.com and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter and Instagram. Email us your questions - heyr ..read more