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Brian Boyle taunts Justin Abdelkader with 'chicken dance' (Video)

josh cooper

Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader was more subdued in a fracas following Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning than he was near the end of Game 2.

Abdelkader, who bloodied Lightning forward Mike Blunden in Game 2, was grabbed by Tampa forward Brian Boyle after Game 3. Boyle dropped his gloves to try to fight Abdelkader, who held onto the 6-foot-7 Boyle, refusing to fight.

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After Abdelkader refused to fight, Boyle made a ‘chicken’ motion with his arms.

Abdelkader had tape on his hand from his Game 2 melee, which is partially why he didn’t fight.

If Abdelakder had, he would have received a match penalty because of the tape, according to rule 46.15.

Any player wearing tape or any other material on his hands (below the wrist) who cuts or injures an opponent during an altercation will receive a match penalty in addition to any other penalties imposed including for fighting under this rule. A match penalty shall be assessed to a player who punches an unsuspecting opponent and causes an injury.

Also, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill didn’t want Abdelkader to fight because he’s too important a player. The Red Wings beat the Lightning 2-0 to bring their series against Tampa to 2-1. Abdelkader has one goal and 33 penalty minutes in three games.

“It’s kind of funny, but if (Boyle) wants to do that, that’s what he wants to show, whatever,” Abdelkader said. “It doesn’t affect me at all because I know what type of player I am. I stand up for myself when I’m healthy.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!