CALGARY – Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman had his suspension cut in half on Friday, following a second appeal of his on-ice collision with linesman Don Henderson.
The National Hockey League (NHL) handed Wideman a 20-game suspension for the incident, which happened during second period action against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 27.
At the time, the league said Wideman violated Rule 40 (Physical Abuse of Officials).
In addition, Wideman forfeited $564,516 in salary, which was to go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
READ MORE: Bettman upholds Wideman’s 20-game suspension; NHLPA appeals
Following an appeal, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman decided to uphold the suspension. However, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced it would file a second appeal with an independent arbitrator.
On Friday, the NHLPA and NHL revealed the arbitrator’s decision that Wideman’s penalty should be reduced from 20 games to 10 games.
Arbitrator James Oldham said Bettman’s decision to uphold Wideman’s suspension based on Rule 40 was correct. However, he didn’t believe Wideman had intent to injure.
“Taking into account Wideman’s eleven years of discipline-free performance as a professional hockey player, there is no occasion to go beyond the ten game minimum specified in Rule 40.3,” the report read.
Wideman was set to serve the final game of his 20-game suspension on Friday night, before returning to the lineup on March 14.
He had already left the Saddledome at the time the decision was delivered.
– With files from Brendan Parker