Michael Peca's suspension has been reduced to five games.
The NHL announced the reduction on Friday following a Thursday meeting where the Blue Jackets forward made an appeal.
Peca told the Columbus Dispatch he apologized to referee Greg Kimmerly during the two-hour hearing with the NHL on Thursday.
The veteran forward was assessed the automatic suspension under Category 2 for abuse of an official. The incident took place last Friday in Dallas during the second period of the Jackets 5-4 overtime win.
Peca was knocked down by Dallas captain Brenden Morrow and seconds later Morrow scored a power play goal to make it 2-0.
Following the goal, Peca skated over to Greg Kimmerly to argue a missed call but the referee begin to skate away. Peca then grabbed Kimmerly's arm.
