Wideman banged his stick on the ice en route to the players’ benches and then knocked Henderson down in front of the Predators’ bench. Others, however, believe that the cross-check was retribution for Salomaki’s hit not being called for a penalty. That actually may have given the league more latitude to decide the length of the suspension.
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The league’s rulebook mandates that deliberate physical force applied on an official carries at least a 10 or 20-game suspension, depending on whether intent to injure plays a factor.
Meanwhile, the story quickly became national news, even beyond sports-specific outlets.
Wideman’s suspension is the second-longest ban in league history for abusing an official.
The incident happened Wednesday in a game against the Nashville Predators. That suspension was reduced to six games. The length was always going to be the most important factor, however, in how this punishment is judged.
Henderson worked the remainder of the game, but was later diagnosed with a concussion.
In the second period of a game against the Nashville Predators, Wideman was skating toward the Flames’ bench when he cross-checked Henderson, who had his back to the defenceman.
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Wideman has the right to appeal to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
