An independent arbitrator cut Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman’s suspension to 10 games from 20 Friday, saying he did not believe Wideman intended to injure the linesman Don Henderson when he knocked him to the ice.
In an 18-page ruling, James Oldham wrote that he agreed with the N.H.L.’s decision to suspend Wideman for abusing an official. But he disagreed with Commissioner Gary Bettman’s conclusion that there was sufficient evidence to show Wideman deliberately wanted to injure Henderson when he hit him during a game against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 27.
Wideman has already served 19 games as the appeals process went to Bettman and then Oldham.