having knack for being a little bit dirty after the United States 98-88 group stage win at the Rio Olympics.The three-time All Star suggested there were some

BOSTON -- Hybrid icing could be on its way to the NHL. The leagues general managers met Wednesday and embraced many of the changes recommended by the competition committee, including hybrid icing and the mandatory use of visors for all players entering the league. A blend of touch and no-touch icing that offers referees the discretion to blow a play dead will be in effect during the 2013-14 preseason. If the experiment is successful, hybrid icing will be implemented for the regular season, pending a vote by the NHLs board of governors. Mathieu Schneider, a former defenceman who is now a special assistant to NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, said both sides should have a better gauge by the end of the preseason whether hybrid icing is likely to pass. "Im optimistic," Schneider said. "Ive learned more through these meetings, watching videos and getting a better understanding." The rule is designed to promote safer play, allowing a linesman to blow his whistle if he judges a defending player is likely to reach the puck first. "Theres different types of the hybrid icing that have been used in different leagues, so were still going to hammer some of those details out," Schneider said. "But essentially its meant to eliminate guys going full speed into the end boards. "If it makes the game safer, its a great thing." Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill said he and his colleagues havent come to a consensus on the issue. "The players in the American (Hockey) League have a good feel for it. Now the NHLers need to get a feel for it," he said. "Ive seen it work in every league that uses it and it works seamlessly." The biggest obstacle to implementation may be how it will be officiated. "There has to be an outright win," Schneider said. "If its clear that the forward is going to win the race for the puck, if theres a dangerous situation, then the ref has the ability to blow it down." Hall of Famer and Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said very few general managers, if any, favour no-touch icing, leaving the hybrid version as the best option. "Not that theres many injuries on the icing now, but the injuries that are there are very severe, and wed like to try the hybrid icing as a good compromise," he said. "Im hopeful that the preseason gives it enough time for the players to vote in support of it." The general managers also approved the mandatory use of visors for every player entering the league. Players who have played in a certain amount of NHL games will be grandfathered in, allowed to decide if they want to don a protective shield. The topic was fueled when New York Rangers defenceman Marc Staal was hit in the eye with a puck on March 5, causing him to miss the remainder of the regular season and all but one of the Rangers playoff games. Yzerman, who wore a visor during his final season, thinks every player should have to wear one. "Weve seen some serious eye injuries along the way here and injuries that can be avoided by simply a player wearing a shield," he said. "Being a manager of a team and wanting your players on the ice for every possible game, and avoiding every injury that could possibly be avoided, Im in support of our guys wearing them." Eventually every player will be wearing one, according to NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell. "Were going to end up with all players wearing visors," he said, "which is a good thing." Also approved Wednesday was the use of shallower nets and video review on four-minute high-sticking penalties. Both will be introduced next season if approved by the board. Balenciaga Triple s Sale Australia . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Adidas NMD Sale Australia . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. http://www.salenikeshoesaustralia.com/vans-clearance/old-skool-cheap.html .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Vapormax 97 Sale Australia . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Asics Clearance Sale Australia . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Australian coach Andrej Lemanis rejected claims by NBA star Paul George the Boomers play dirty, insisting his men just play hard.George caused a stir when he called out the Boomers for having knack for being a little bit dirty after the United States 98-88 group stage win at the Rio Olympics.The three-time All Star suggested there were some underhanded tactics in the match.The game kind of got out of hand early with the physical play, said George.We were doing the same stuff they were doing and we got hacked for it. Lemanis laughed off the claims.Its always interesting when you talk about being dirty, he said.If you look at the NBA playoffs, I think thhey call that playing hard.ddddddddddddThats what we do - we play hard.But the coach said the Boomers werent a one-trick pony and have shown versatility in their wins over France, Serbia and China.Weve been able to adjust to the circumstances as required as a team, he said.Theres no doubt we can get in the trenches, but we can also move and share the ball when were given room to move.I think were in a good place.Australia, who sit second in their group with a 3-1 record, play one final pool game against Venezuela on Sunday. ' ' '