All of them, send a message!

10 games. Rules are rules. If he was trying to side step, protect himself , or order a pizza. He failed and hit a official. Excuses are just that and rules are rules.

The 3 rules Kerry Fraser at TSN referenced for this, none specifically address this scenario. The issue I have with the contact is that Wideman pushed off once contact was made. He brought his hands & stick up which is a natural reaction but then he pushed hard essentially cross checking the linesman. I accept he may have been disoriented but why didn't he just grab the linesman when he realized contact was going to happen. Disorientation isn't a good defense. All players are responsible for their actions on the ice at all times.

I think it will be covered under 1 of these 3 rules Fraser referenced. Either 3 games or 10 games depending upon how the NHL decides to clasify it. Although it's an odd circumstance & Wideman's mental acuity may save him from getting 10 games.

On a side note. Interestingly enough here is 1 of the problems with NHL stats & it happens all the time on numerous categories not the least of which is shots on net scoring chances, give aways etc. In that game Salomaki caught Wideman with a decent shoulder check yet he wasn't even credited with a hit in that game!

You need a blue pot leaf for your avvie and cheer for the Leafs...
- geta02it

420 4 LYFE

Non-hockey player response from the non-hockey players. yeah, I used that card.

agree, the question will be how does your player cross check an official and not miss a shift? tough one to answer but Burke will have his tie down, shirt unbuttoned and an empty coke bottle ful of chewing tobacco spit. Should be fine!
- jjonah

but he was so dazed and confused that he obviously didn't mean to cross check the official. He was really trying to cross check the air.

10 games. Rules are rules. If he was trying to side step, protect himself , order a pizza. He failed and hit a official. Excuses are just that and rules are rules.
- cabin

This

It was an attack on an official, and he should be properly disciplined, as should anyone who does this in any hockey league.

10 games. Rules are rules. If he was trying to side step, protect himself , order a pizza. He failed and hit a official. Excuses are just that and rules are rules.
- cabin

I wish I could use the accidental plea when I high stick someone. Well, you know, I haven't done it all season and it was an accident.....

The smartest thing the team could have done would have been to take him out of the game after the incident. Even if he was fine to play, I think it would have made this situation a lot better.

I really don't know what to think of this. Sometimes I watch it and the intent is obvious, sometimes I think he's just a player who was a bit turned around and ran into the guy. I think there has to be a suspension, but I don't know that it should be more than 5-10 games.

You are all homers! He should be gone for the year!!!!
- The-O-G

Not sure if this is sarcasm but it should definitely be a minimum of 20 imho.

That was so intentional. its undeniable.

Not sure if this is sarcasm but it should definitely be a minimum of 20 imho.

That was so intentional. its undeniable.
- vancity787

Prove it!!!!

Can we do a Hotstove on how (frank)ing horrible the new NHL site is?

from the rule book:
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.

this is for an act deemed "without intent to injure"

It was an attack on an official, and he should be properly disciplined, as should anyone who does this in any hockey league.
- Blackstrom2

What he claims the rationale for the hit was is totally irrelevant. He made a direct hit on an official. It was far beyond the typical bump and grind of close quarters hockey. Sure, the official was standing between him and the bench. Big deal, suck it up and go around. The guy had his back to you.
100% avoidable. 100% bad decision. Park your ass for 10 days and think about it. Just be glad it wasn't deemed as intentional or it would have been 20 days.
The rule is there for a purpose. Wideman's actions are the purpose that they are there. The officials need to receive far more respect than what he showed.

I believe it was Pierre McGuire who said it this morning on local radio in Ottawa, if Wideman does not get the 10 game suspension the Refs/Linesmen are walking off the job.

from the rule book:
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.

this is for an act deemed "without intent to injure"
- i'mjustafan

Was it deliberate?

"done consciously and intentionally."

hmmmmm

10 games

I dont care about any of the angles if you have been rocked before you know you arent in control of what you do. After a game I have tried to get in to a car that wasnt even mine
- mauryballstein

He passed up the other team's bench and went straight for his own bench. He knew where he was and he knew what he was doing. The only question might be whether he knew who he was doing it to. However, the stripes were a dead giveaway.

I believe it was Pierre McGuire who said it this morning on local radio in Ottawa, if Wideman does not get the 10 game suspension the Refs/Linesmen are walking off the job.
- Stalemate

Good for them. the NHL needs to protect the refs. They are dealing with 200+ pound grown men who train for a living and play a sport where emotions can run wild. Letting a blatant cross check go would send a bad message.

You need a blue pot leaf for your avvie and cheer for the Leafs...
- geta02it

I'm flattered!

You dream of me last night, sweetie?

The smartest thing the team could have done would have been to take him out of the game after the incident. Even if he was fine to play, I think it would have made this situation a lot better.

I really don't know what to think of this. Sometimes I watch it and the intent is obvious, sometimes I think he's just a player who was a bit turned around and ran into the guy. I think there has to be a suspension, but I don't know that it should be more than 5-10 games.
- SolidGoldBricks

The thing is that there was no need to take him out ...this was a nothing play which not even the officials cared about ...it wasn't until social medial got a hold of it that it blew up into this poop storm ...the guy made a last second reactionary move the looks ten times worse that it actually is and will be penalized harshly for fear of what the Twitter universe and mainstream media will say if he isn't ...End of story

He was obviously on drugs. Have his contract terminated, put him in a substance abuse program and then let him sign with Washington or the Oilers. Next!

Was it deliberate?

"done consciously and intentionally."

hmmmmm
- The-O-G

stop with this non-sense. He hit an official from behind, showed ZERO remorse as he did not look back at the official after it happened. Get over it. He will be suspended and whatever he gets, will be more than deserving as it was a bonehead play. Imagine if every player who got his bell rung got up and hit an official, yet we just deemed them "not in the right state of mind".

I believe it was Pierre McGuire who said it this morning on local radio in Ottawa, if Wideman does not get the 10 game suspension the Refs/Linesmen are walking off the job.
- Stalemate

Pierre is probably the biggest idiot out there ...it's no wonder American TV ratings aren't ever high ...who would want to listen to this ass clown for 3 hours if they don't have to