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On Wednesday, the NHL came down predictably hard on Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman for his nasty hit on a referee last week.
Though Wideman argued his case at a disciplinary hearing, the NHL suspended him 20 games.
Additionally, Wideman will pay a high price for the hit:
Dennis Wideman (@NHLFlames) has been suspended for 20 games. pic.twitter.com/9p3zh5fdse
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 3, 2016
The hit came in the second period, shortly after Wideman took a tough hit of his own. As he skated off the ice toward the bench, he lined up directly behind the ref and cross-checked him, perhaps mad that a foul wasn’t called on the hit he took.
After the game, Wideman said he didn’t see the ref as he skated off the ice.
Here’s the hit:
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that any suspension over six games will likely result in Wideman appealing to a neutral arbitrator.