Costly hit on NHL official

League bars Calgary defenseman Dennis Wideman 20 games for cross-checking a linesman last week.

The NHL barred Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman 20 games Wednesday for cross-checking a linesman last week, the second-longest suspension in NHL history for abusing an official.

Wideman was suspended for violating the league rule on physical abuse of officials after he knocked down linesman Don Henderson during the Flames’ game against Nashville on Jan. 27.

In a video explaining the suspension, the NHL said Wideman was diagnosed with a concussion after that game, but said being disoriented as a result of a hit was no excuse for “the nature and severity of the offense he committed on the ice.”

“Wideman did not merely bump into or collide with the linesman,” the NHL said in the video. “He delivered a forceful blow that was no accident.”

Brian Burke, the Flames’ president of hockey operations, disagreed with that assessment and the length of the suspension.

“[We] maintain Dennis’ collision with the linesman was unintentional and accidental,” Burke said. “We agree that our officials’ safety and well-being is of extreme importance in order to allow them to perform their duties. They perform an invaluable but underappreciated role in our game. We support sanctions against players who make deliberate contact with any official. However, unintentional and accidental contact does occur at times in our game.”

The 32-year-old Wideman will lose $564,516 in salary as a result of the suspension. Only Gordie Dwyer of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who was suspended 23 games in part for abuse of officials during an exhibition in 2000, was suspended longer for such a violation.

Wideman had a hearing with the NHL’s department of hockey operations Tuesday that included representatives from the players’ association and NHL Officials Assn. The NHLPA announced Wednesday night it had filed an appeal on Wideman’s behalf.

After the game last week, Wideman said he was in pain after a hit from the Predators’ Miikka Salomaki and couldn’t avoid hitting Henderson. He was not penalized and skated over to the officials and apologized moments later.