Warning: Story contains coarse language
The NHL is talking to both the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers in an effort to ensure the Battle of Alberta doesn't get further out of hand.
"(Senior vice president of player safety) George Parros and (executive vice president and director of hockey operations) Colin Campbell were on the phone on Wednesday in separate calls with the (general managers) from the Battle of Alberta trying to calm those waters down ahead of the Jan. 29 rematch between these two rivals," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading."
Parros is expected to be at Rogers Place in Edmonton for the game, LeBrun added.
Parros assessed Oilers forward Zack Kassian a two-game suspension Monday after Kassian repeatedly punched Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk following Tkachuk's hit on Kassian during Saturday's matchup between the two clubs.
Kassian later said he'd "do it again" and called Tkachuk a "pussy" for not wanting to fight him. Tkachuk said if Kassian doesn't want to get hit, he should "stay off the tracks."
After the Jan. 29 meeting in Edmonton, the provincial rivals will meet again three days later in Calgary and then once more in their final regular-season contest April 4 at the Saddledome.
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