Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman says he didn't mean to hit linesman Don Henderson with a cross-check Wednesday night.
"I took a pretty hard hit down in the corner and had some pretty good pain in my shoulder and neck, and I was just trying to get off the ice," Wideman told reporters postgame, adding that he immediately explained himself to the official.
"I was kind of keeled over and at the last second, I looked over and saw him, and I couldn't avoid it. I went up to Don and apologized to him on the ice (and said) I didn't see him (and) I didn't know where to go or how to get out of the way of him."
Wideman was hit by Nashville Predators forward Miikka Salomaki in the second period of Nashville's 2-1 victory, and after appearing momentarily dazed, Wideman laid into Henderson near the bench.
The veteran blue-liner insisted there was no intent.
"Throughout my career ... I've treated every official with the utmost respect and I'd never intentionally try to hit a linesman or a ref or anything like that. It was completely unintentional and I already apologized to him."
Wideman said he doesn't believe the play is worthy of discipline from the league's Department of Player Safety.
"At the time, I didn't really think anything of it. It was obviously not intentional ... I'd be surprised (if the league acted on it), but if that happens, all I'm going to do is tell them my side and what happened, and hope for the best."
Wideman could be slapped with a 10-game suspension regardless of whether or not he meant to hit Henderson, as TSN's Frank Seravalli first pointed out.
Here's Rule 40.3:
40.3 Automatic Suspension – Category II - Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games.
