Clear intent. He took a stutter step just before he raised his stick to get better leverage for the cross-check.
Yeah, he nailed him on purpose. Not that the apologists will see it that way.
Well said.
Granted that Wideman appeared groggy even well after he'd sat down: It may be that he was in such a state as to hit the first thing he encountered that was not in a red uniform.
"I couldn't avoid it."
Geez. Give him an extra 10 weeks out with no pay, for that lie.