Breaking News: Major update regarding Antoine Vermette's suspension

Antoine Vermette’s suspension expected to be reduced.

Yesterday the NHL released an official statement to announce Antoine Vermette’s suspension after attacking an NHL official.

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.

“Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette has been automatically suspended for 10 games, without pay, for violating Rule 40.3 (Physical Abuse of Officials) during NHL Game No. 840 in Minnesota on Tuesday, Feb. 14, the National Hockey League announced today.”

Well, it seems that the decision has been recalled this morning as Stephane Quintal decided to cut the suspension in half.

Vermette would only miss 5 games instead of 10. As mentioned by Sportsnet, this would not be the first time this type of suspension gets reduced : 

"Last season, Calgary’s Dennis Wideman received a Category I suspension for hitting a linesman into the boards and that came with an automatic 20-game suspension. It was appealed to an independent arbitrator, who reduced it to 10 games."