Flames' Wideman hit with 20-game ban for hit on official

By staff
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Updated: February 4, 2016

Dennis Wideman is paying a severe penalty for drilling a linesman in the back last month.

The veteran Calgary Flames defenseman was hit with a 20-game ban, without pay, the NHL announced on Wednesday. The check in the back that sent linesman Don Henderson sprawling into the boards will cost Wideman more than $ 564,000 in lost pay.

The NHL cited Rule 40 – Physical Abuse of Officials – in making the announcement.

Wideman, 32, had been suspended indefinitely after the Jan. 27 incident.

RANGERS’ KEVIN KLEIN OUT INDEFINITELY WITH FRACTURED THUMB

Derek Leung/Getty Images

Dennis Wideman will be lost to the Calgary Flames for 20 games, the NHL rules.

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A former All-Star, Wideman was skating to the bench after taking a hard in the second period of a game vs. the Predators. With Henderson blocking his path to the bench, Wideman drilled the linesman in the middle of his back with a cross-check.

Wideman, who apologized to Henderson after the on-ice mugging, said he was in pain and simply trying to get off the ice. He claimed the contact was unavoidable.

The 20-game ban is the second-longest in NHL history for abusing an official. The Lightning’s Gordie Dwyer was suspended 23 games in 2000 in part for his abuse of officials during an exhibition game.