Dennis Wideman hits a linesman? On purpose or accident?

[Ronin]

I heard on sportscenter that if it is found that Dennis Wideman hit the ref on purpose then he is getting suspended at least 20 games.

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I think he did it on purpose.

 

[Iceman]

No question it was on purpose. You can see his hands go up as he hit the Linesman. He should be suspended for at least the rest of the season for that cheap shot. What was the point of it anyways???

 

[BillsCarnage]

The fact his stick went up and the hands out like a check, it definitely seems obvious. If Wideman were woozy I doubt the would have picked up the stick.

 

[puckhead]

wth? Looks totally on purpose.

 

[Iceman]

wth? Looks totally on purpose.

No question. Plus, he did not stop to make sure he was ok. If it was an accident, then he would make sure to try and help him up

 

[puckhead]

Some people are saying it was a dive by the linesman.

 

[puckhead]

I'll bet linesman around the league will make sure not to miss any icings or offsides calls against the Flames now that a clear message has been sent.

 

[Ronin]

@DarrenDreger: Confirming NHL linesman Don Henderson was in hospital for precautionary reasons. Home now. NHL expected to decide on Wideman today.


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[Ronin]

@DarrenDreger: Indefinite suspension for Wideman pending post All Star hearing.


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[Dback Jon]

As it should be - no place in the NHL for that crap

 

[Bert]

2 incidents in major American sports in the past month where a player has deliberately taken down a ref...

IMO the leagues need to come down on these guys who do crap like this as hard as possible. A message needs to be sent not only to every current player but to every kid out there watching. It's never freaking acceptable to take a cheap shot at the refs. It's nearly unforgivable...

 

[Shaggy]

Hope he is suspended for several games, if not the whole season. Moron!

 

[Iceman]

Was there a play earlier in the game that Wiseman was upset about that caused him to do this? Or was he just being a D-head and saw the opportunity to take the linesman out?

 

[puckhead]

20 Games. Sounds about right to me.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14705594/dennis-wideman-calgary-flames-banned-20-games-ref-hit

 

[Dback Jon]

20 Games. Sounds about right to me.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14705594/dennis-wideman-calgary-flames-banned-20-games-ref-hit

Yes, it does.

 

[puckhead]

Was there a play earlier in the game that Wiseman was upset about that caused him to do this? Or was he just being a D-head and saw the opportunity to take the linesman out?

He was hit just before the incident occurred and he claimed that he was just not paying attention until the last moment and pushed him out of the way instinctively. Some have argued that he was upset that no call was made on the hit he received and took it out on the first zebra he saw. I tend to agree with the latter.

 

[puckhead]

NHLPA appeals suspension on Wideman's behalf.

“We strongly disagree with the League’s decision to suspend Dennis Wideman,” the Players’ Association said in a statement. “Dennis has played in 11 NHL seasons and almost 800 games without incident. The facts, including the medical evidence presented at the hearing, clearly demonstrate that Dennis had no intention to make contact with the linesman. An appeal has been filed on the player’s behalf.”

The appeal will go to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. If the suspension is still for six-or-more games after Bettman makes his decision, the appeal can go further to an arbitrator. Wideman reportedly cannot play during the appeal process, so there is belief it will be expedited.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...--strongly--disagrees-with-nhl-002500157.html

 

[puckhead]

Heading to a neutral arbitrator.

Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman will appeal his 20-game suspension for cross-checking a linesman.

The decision on whether to keep the suspension at 20 games will now go to a neutral arbitrator.

The NHLPA announced the decision after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reaffirmed Wideman’s suspension following a Feb. 10 hearing. Originally the league’s hockey operations suspended Wideman 20 games, a ruling he appealed to Bettman under the CBA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...-game-suspension-to-arbitrator-015155190.html