Calgary Flames Should Expect Dennis Wideman Suspension

Whether he meant it or not, Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman inexcusably lost the plot during the Nashville game, cross-checking one of the linesmen.

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Wideman had been on the wrong end of a nasty hit in the Calgary Flames zone in the second period, but as he got up and dusted himself off, he seemed to lose his head.

He cross-checked linesman Don Henderson from behind as he headed towards the Calgary Flames bench. The linesman didn’t see the hit coming, didn’t have any chance to brace and was sent tumbling heavily to the ice.

Unfortunately for Wideman and the Calgary Flames, the NHL rule book is pretty clear on these sorts of incidents:

"40.1 Game Misconduct – Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official, in any manner attempts to injure an official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty. In addition, the following (40.2, 40.3, 40.4) disciplinary penalties shall apply."

"40.2 Automatic Suspension – Category I – Any player who deliberately strikes an official and causes injury or who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official with intent to injure, or who in any manner attempts to injure an official shall be automatically suspended for not less than twenty (20) games. (For the purpose of the rule, “intent to injure” shall mean any physical force which a player knew or should have known could reasonably be expected to cause injury.)"

"40.3 Automatic Suspension – Category II – Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games."

Based on our understanding of the rules, the Calgary Flames should expect no less than twenty games missing Dennis Wideman. The footage of the incident makes it look pretty deliberate, especially as he managed to get his stick up for the check:

In an intervew with Sportsnet, Wideman mentioned he had apologized to Henderson during the television time-out. “I was just trying to get off the ice. And, at the last second, I looked up and saw him,” said Wideman post-game. “I couldn’t avoid it. I didn’t know where to go or how to get out of the way of him.”

“I couldn’t avoid it. I didn’t know where to go.” – Dennis Wideman (Sportsnet)

Whether he intended the hit or not, the video evidence is rather damning and I’d expect the NHL to present a harsh penalty to the Calgary Flames defenseman, if only to make an example of him and push the notion they don’t tolerate this behavior towards officials.

The only positive to come of a suspension would be getting Wideman off the Calgary Flames power play.

He gets some of the highest power-play minutes despite being a third pairing defenceman when the teams line up for 5-on-5 action.

Any suspension will likely follow him in his career now too, which means he has also lost some trade value for the Calgary Flames. Nobody really wins with this scenario.

Next: Flames Raising Mental Health Awareness

What did you think of Wideman’s behavior? Was he suffering the ill effects of the hit on him or was it deliberate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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