After the NHL threw the book at Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman with a 20-game suspension for knocking linesman Don Henderson to the ice from behind during a Jan. 27 game against the Nashville Predators, the reaction on Twitter was understandably mixed.
Many were quick to defend the blue-liner, arguing the suspension was too long:
20 games for Wideman. Wow that's a lot of games. Insane.
— Colby Armstrong (@armdog) February 3, 2016
Wideman gets 20 games, I think 5 to 10 would be more appropriate. I highly doubt he meant to do what he did #NHL
— Mike Scott (@Mike_Scott4) February 3, 2016
20 games for Wideman seems excessive given his history. I know a message had to be delivered but this is SHOCKING! #Flames
— Tyler Doyle (@TyTheSportsGuy) February 3, 2016
On the other hand, there were observers who felt the 20-game suspension, the longest given to anyone other than Raffi Torres since 2008, might not have been enough.
Dennis Wideman's lucky he didn't get the rest of the season. Just a bizarre incident.
— Bill Hoppe (@BillHoppeNHL) February 3, 2016
I felt Wideman should have been suspended for 40 games, or the balance of the season.
— Peter Harling (@pharling) February 3, 2016
Seemed a clear and deliberate attack.
Wideman loses nearly 565k for checking a linesman. I'd have liked to see a rest of regular season suspension, but this is close to enough.
— Bongo Dad (@AnimalKraken) February 3, 2016
And of course, a number of people thought the decision was just right.
Dennis Wideman suspended 20 games. Probably correct. Officials would've been upset at 10. We'll never know what was going through DW's mind
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) February 3, 2016
20 games for Wideman sounds fair for a really boneheaded play
— Taylor Stobaugh (@Taylor_Stobaugh) February 3, 2016
Not surprised #flames Wideman gets 20-game suspension. Can't step into official like he did. Have to protect the zebras. Appeal pending.
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) February 3, 2016
Barring an appeal, the earliest Wideman can return to the ice is March 14 against the St. Louis Blues.