Calgary Flames’ Dennis Wideman suspended for hit on linesman

Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman apologized for cross-checking a linesman during a game Wednesday night against the Nashville Predators but was suspended for his actions a day later by the NHL.

The suspension is pending until Wideman has an in-person hearing with NHL hockey operations on Tuesday, the league said in an announcement on Thursday. The NHL is currently in its All-Star break.

Wideman said he cross-checked linesman Don Henderson unintentionally in a woozy scramble to get back to the team's bench at 11:19 of the second period.

Wideman flattened Henderson with a hard shot to the upper-middle back but was not penalized for the blindside move.

Predators winger Miikka Salomaki delivered a big hit to Wideman, sending Wideman to his knees, but no penalty was called, raising the question of whether the hit to the game official was retaliation for a no-call.

"I took a pretty good hit down in the corner and had some pretty good pain in my shoulder and neck," Wideman said. "I was just trying to get off the ice and kind of keeled over. At the last second, I looked up and saw (Henderson) and couldn't avoid it. I went up to Donnie and apologized to him on the ice."

If the hit is determined to be intentional, the minimum suspension would be 20 games.

Flames coach Bob Hartley said it was "like a bad accident." The 32-year-old Wideman has played 11 NHL year, including four with the Flames. He has two goals, 17 assists and 30 penalty minutes this season.

"I didn't see him. I didn't know where to go and how to get out of the way," he said. "I've been around for a few years, and I think I've treated every official with the utmost respect, and I would never intentionally try to hit a linesman or a ref. It was completely unintentional, and I already apologized to him."

After Sunday's All-Star game, the regular season resumes Tuesday.