Quote:
Originally Posted by MacFlame
He was frustrated from being hit and losing the game....handily.
His response was indicative of where many of the Flames player's heads have been over the past number of games....in the clouds, no real focus.
Was it premeditated? No. Did he intend to hurt him? No. Was it on purpose? Yes. He had just got laid out and he was mad. He lost his temper and his focus and took it out on the ref.
He deserves the suspension.
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It isn't just about the version of events that I don't believe. Yes I could argue both hands were on his stick and if he only had one, then the ref only gets a push with gloves. Or maybe that he's been hit 1000x and wouldn't get upset by being hit. Or that he outstretches his arms the way someone falling/losing balance would, not the way someone throwing a crosscheck would.
The big thing for me is that in my 30 years of watching the NHL, I have never, ever, ever heard of a player EVER intentionally skating over to a linesman and crosschecking him in the back. No player in recent NHL history has attacked a linesman intentionally. Even ones like Carcillo were more about being belligerent and ignoring refs commands. It doesn't happen.
Which is why I'd understand if Wideman did attack the ref, the NHL would want a long suspension. What I don't understand is how they think that he did attack the ref. There is enough doubt that the only way I buy this suspension is a) the optics b) they don't want to be embarrassed by an officials work to rule campaign (hey, one victim in Wideman is better than league wide anarchy and bad press) or c) if they knew he'd appeal and this makes sure he gets the suspension they originally wanted without suffering the embarrassment of a) and b).