Wideman suspended pending a hearing

[Josh]

I'm not defending Wideman cos what he did was super dumb. But homie looked hella concussed on the play. I doubt that will get him the benefit of the doubt but dude total Bambi.

Maybe that would fly if he'd been kept out of the game afterwards.

[thedaigle1]

I'm not defending Wideman cos what he did was super dumb. But homie looked hella concussed on the play. I doubt that will get him the benefit of the doubt but dude total Bambi.

[Matt the Aussie]

Sorry, but Wideman doesn't have a leg to stand on IMO.

He has plenty of time to see who is in his way, his head is up most of the way in. He doesn't simply bump into him, there is a cross check with the stick and hands up. And the killer for me, as everyone on the bench instantly reacts with shock and disgust, Wideman does not turn around, does not react at all...he just goes over to his bench.

Remorse after the fact is great but that's why you have mandatory suspensions for things like this. Referees are not expecting hits and need to be protected. I'm sure he is sorry that he'll lose almost $600,000 over this.

[Jasmine]

He is appealing.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/surprising-that-nhlpa-appealed-wideman-s-suspension~801242

[Josh]

Well they've gotta' be tough about it I suppose. If not, it would be too easy to say "oh, I was woozy" or "oops, didn't see him".

[thedaigle1]

20-game suspension. I personally would appeal but then again I've never cross-checked an NHL official so I may not be the best legal counsel available but just this one time.

[Jasmine]

There is no way around it, he will be disciplined..however, they may take into account all of what you said..and give him 3-5 games instead of 20ish...

Anyways, I'm glad I don't have to make that decision......

[Josh]

:noidea:I guess he could say he didn't realize he was hitting the linesman..he does look shaken up...

It's a really tough call in my opinion. To my knowledge, Wideman has no history of this kind of thing nor the reputation of a dirty player. You'd have to think any NHL player knows how seriously and swiftly any abuse of officials is dealt with.. He also certainly does seems shaken up.

However, his head had been up for a few strides before getting to the ref and his hands didn't simply go up defensively; he cross-checked the ref.

It's a hard call to make, and in the absence of proof that it was obviously a mistake, the right call is to discipline him.

[Jasmine]

:noidea:I guess he could say he didn't realize he was hitting the linesman..he does look shaken up...

[Josh]

Here's the video:

[Jasmine]

NEW YORK – Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman has been suspended pending a hearing with NHL Hockey Operations on Tuesday, February 2, for an incident involving linesman Don Henderson during NHL Game No. 742 Wednesday, January 27, at Scotiabank Saddledome.
The incident occurred at 11:19 of the second period.

I didn't see the incident but I heard he crosschecked the linesman... hum!