Hours before the Stanley Cup finals began, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman proudly proclaimed that concussions are down across the league and there are numbers to back him up. Marc-Andre ter Stegen Jersey . That does not mean the league has figured out how to prevent head injuries among its players. Or that the numbers tell the whole story. According to data from STATS provided to The Associated Press, there were 53 concussions during the regular season, a sharp decline from the 78 reported during the leagues last full season two years ago. But even Bettman said there is only so much the league can do about a player hiding a head injury to stay on the ice. "Obviously, its difficult for us to get into a players head, no pun intended, with this concussion discussion," he said. "But if a player is going to not follow the protocol, not say exactly what hes feeling, thats pretty difficult to address." Dr. Jeff Kutcher, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based neurologist who works with NHL players believed to have concussions, wasnt sure the lower numbers indicated a dramatic change. "Im not surprised that the numbers are down, but I wouldnt read too much into those numbers," Kutcher said. The NHLs concussion protocol, like other leagues, requires players to get a team doctors OK before they can return to play. They are taken to a quiet place for evaluation, questions and tests of their memory, balance and general awareness. Players, though, seem to be able to skate around the protocol. Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman James Wisniewski said he avoided return-to-play protocol after he went head first into the boards during the playoffs. He wanted to keep playing. The Montreal Canadiens were criticized for letting forward Dale Weise return to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals after a blindside hit sent him to the dressing room. General manager Marc Bergevin insisted the team did not know Weise had a concussion until the next day and that the leagues protocol was followed. "Its flawed, but Im not a doctor," Bergevin said. "We all worry about our players, but we can only go by what were given." Hockey Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan, who was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to be their president two months ago after he was the NHLs chief disciplinarian, said it is good for the game that concussions are part of the conversation. "When there are situations like weve had in the playoffs, whether it is a hit to the head or mis-reporting, it gets put in the spotlight and it should," Shanahan said. "That is part of the continuing change of culture, and its going to be an ongoing process. I dont think there ever will be a perfect system because players are always going to want to play." The NHL Players Association says it has taken steps to educate its players about the dangers of concussions, including bringing doctors to each team before the season for discussions. "The players understand the seriousness of concussions, and along with our consulting doctors we continue to discuss with them the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and proper recovery," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. Detroit Red Wings forward Drew Miller said players choose to keep playing with head injuries for at least a few reasons. "Guys downplay the symptoms or dont report them because of job security and they dont want to lose their spot," Miller said. "And, guys want to keep playing because they want help their team. In the back of our minds, too, you dont want other teams to know you have a head injury." Retired players Dave Christian, Reed Larson and William Bennett filed a class-action suit nearly two months ago in federal court that alleged the league has promoted fighting and downplayed the risk of head injuries that come from it. They joined another group of former NHL players in the fight for compensation for head injuries they blame on a game that promotes hard-hitting action. Current players seem to be adapting to the NHLs emphasis on safer play: Physical penalties -- such as illegal checks to the head, checks from behind and elbowing -- have dropped in each of the last six regular seasons. An average of 1.03 physical penalties were called per game during the 2013-14 season, according to STATS, down from 1.14, 1.16, 1.25, 1.36 and 1.39 the previous five years. Suspensions have generally held steady at around 35 per season the past few years, and players are sometimes forced to sit even if no penalty is called. Montreals Brandon Prust wasnt penalized for a hit that broke the jaw of New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan during the Eastern Conference finals, but he was suspended for two games by the league. Stepan sat out one game after going through a series of tests. "The protocol helps make sure that the player is OK and that he is not playing with something that he shouldnt be," he said. "I think its a good step in the right direction." Ultimately, though, players have to protect themselves and each other. "It comes down to the guys on the ice respecting each other and playing it as safe as possible," Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp said. "You see some of the big hits this year, inevitably youre going to catch a piece of the head and cause a problem, but the leagues done well with suspensions and penalties and the players have done a good job as far as the respect factor." Mats Hummels Jersey . The 23-year-old McNabb was an All-Star with the American Hockey Leagues Rochester Americans this season, posting seven goals and 22 assists in 38 games. In 12 games with the Sabres this season, McNabb has accumulated six penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating. He has scored one goal and seven assists in 37 career games with the Sabres, who originally selected him in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Ilkay Gundogan Jersey . Observant Muslims avoid food and liquids from dawn to dusk during Ramadan but can, and often do, skip it if travelling or doing hard physical labour. Some devout Muslim athletes choose to fast during training or competition, but it can create selection difficulties for the coaches in team sports. http://www.germanysoccerpro.com/Marvin-Plattenhardt-Germany-Jersey/ .C. -- Gleason Fournier scored the shootout winner as the Grand Rapids Griffins defeated the Abbotsford Heat 4-3 Friday in American Hockey League action.ERIE, Pa. -- Connor Brown had two goals and an assist as the Erie Otters edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Brown, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs 156th overall in 2012, leads the OHL in scoring with 11 goals and 25 points in 11 games. Dane Fox scored twice for the Otters (8-2-1), who extended their win streak to six contests, while Connor McDavid assisted on each of his clubs four goals. Michael Cramarossa, Brendan Gaunce and Chad Heffernan scored for the Bulls (2-7-2). Oscar Dansk made 18 saves for the win as Charlie Graham turned away 21 shots in defeat. Both clubs went 1 for 3 on the power play. --- Attack 4 Sting 2 SARNIA, Ont. -- Zach Nastasiuk scored twice and set up one more as Owen Sound doubled up the Sting. Kurtis Gabriel had a goal and two assists for the Attack (5-5-1) while Gemel Smith had the other. Noah Bushnell and Nickolas Latta supplied the offence for Sarnia (3-7-1). Brandon Hope made 32 saves for the win as Brodie Barrick turned aside 21 shots in defeat. --- Storm 5 IceDogs 4 (SO) GUELPH, Ont. -- Robby Fabbri scored once in regulation and the shootout winner as the Storm edged Niagara. Tyler Bertuzzi and Scott Kosmachuk had a goal and an assist each for Guelph (7-3-0) while Brock McGinn scored the other. Anthony DiFruscia led the IceDogs (4-4-2) offensively with two goals and an assist. Brendan Perlini had a goal and an assist and Jordan Maletta scored once. Joshua Kimmich Jersey. . Justin Nichols earned the win by making 23 saves. Christopher Festarini stopped 23 shots in defeat. --- Frontenacs 6 Rangers 2 KITCHENER, Ont. -- Sam Bennett and Spencer Watson each had two goals and two assists as Kingston defeated the Rangers. Henri Ikonen scored once and set up three more for the Frontenacs (7-1-1) while Sam Povorozniouk added a single goal. Nick Magyar scored both of Kitcheners (4-4-0) goals. Matt Mahalak made 28 saves for the win as Tyson Teichmann stopped 36 shots in a losing cause. --- Generals 5 Knights 3 LONDON, Ont. -- Scott Laughton scored three times, including the winner shorthanded in the third period, as Oshawa beat the Knights. Jacob Busch and Michael Dal Colle also scored for the Generals (8-2-1) while Cole Cassels chipped in with two assists. Max Domi, Matt Rupert and Bo Horvat scored for London (7-2-1). Daniel Altshuller made 43 saves for the win. Jake Patterson stopped 38-of-42 shots in defeat. --- Whalers 3 Wolves 2 SUDBURY, Ont. -- Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 43 shots as Plymouth slipped past the Wolves. Carter Sandlak, Francesco Vilardi and Mathieu Henderson scored for the Whalers (6-6-0) while Brook Hiddink tacked on two assists. Mathew Campagna and Nathan Pancel scored for Sudbury (3-3-4). Franky Palazzese made 28 saves in a losing cause. ' ' '