Chicago has outscored Calgary 13-1 since the Flames took a 5-0 lead 12 minutes into their meeting with the Hawks on Oct. 12, but lost 6-5 in overtime. Chicago has outscored Calgary 13-1 since the Flames took a 5-0 lead 12 minutes into their meeting with the Hawks on Oct. 12, but lost 6-5 in overtime. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

1. Men behaving badly

A few Anaheim Ducks fans were not satisfied that their struggling team beat Tampa Bay 4-3 in overtime on Thursday. A bizarre scene at the Honda Center occurred after Ducks defenceman Scott Niedermayer scored the winner in extra time and was selected the game's first star.

As per custom at Ducks games, stars of the game deliver a souvenir stick to a fan after the player is announced and skates onto the ice. When his name was called, Niedermayer drifted to the sideboards to toss his first-star souvenir stick over the glass to a little girl who was standing rinkside.

But two grown men in the area started to fight over the keepsake.

There were punches thrown as a baffled Niedermayer stood on the other side of the glass watching the incident. Even the wife or girlfriend of one of the battling boys started shoving and punching.

We're happy to report that the stick did end up in the little girl's hands.

2. The definition of dominance

The Calgary Flames likely are not looking forward to their next meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Jan. 21.

The Hawks clinched their first-round series against the Flames in Calgary last spring. They have also won six consecutive regular-season meetings at the Saddledome and have now outscored Calgary 13-1 since the Flames took a 5-0 lead 12 minutes into their meeting with the Hawks on Oct. 12, but lost 6-5 in overtime.

3. To be the best…

Bring on the best, say the Nashville Predators. On Tuesday, they upended the team with the best record in the NHL, the San Jose Sharks, with a 4-3 victory at home.

On Thursday, the Predators took care of the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in a shootout. The Devils have the third-best record in the league, tied with Colorado, a club Nashville meets next week.

After beginning the season slowly with only two wins in 10 starts, the Predators have reeled off four wins in a row and eight in their last 10 matches to pull themselves into contention for one of the eight playoff spots in the West.

4. Shrewd moves

Prior to his team's 6-5 come-from-behind shootout win against Toronto in Carolina on Thursday, Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford placed Eric Staal (upper body) and goalie Cam Ward (lacerated thigh) on the long-term injury list.

Why? Did the two suffer setbacks?

No, the moves were made to save salary cap space and clear a roster spot for call-up Patrick Dwyer from the Albany River Rats. When a player is placed on the long-term injury list, he has to be inactive for at least 10 games or 24 days.

That means the earliest Staal, out since Nov. 1, can return is on Wednesday at Anaheim. Ward, who was injured on Nov. 7, is expected to return on Dec. 5 for a matinee affair at home against Vancouver.

5. Worth an honour

The Maple Leafs have been knocked for some lame pre-game ceremonies this season — such as 1980s night last Saturday — but it will be a special occasion when they honour their oldest living former player on Saturday, 90-year-old Wally Stanowski.

The Winnipeg-born Stanowski, a defenceman, won Stanley Cups with Toronto in 1942, 1945, 1947 and 1948, as well as the 1938 Memorial Cup with the St. Boniface Seals.

He was named to the 1940-41 NHL all-star team and played for the Leafs in the first official NHL all-star game in October 1947.