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When Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid shockingly inferred last December in Philadelphia that Flyers defenceman Brandon Manning had intentionally tried to hurt him when the youngster broke his collarbone in his rookie NHL season, McDavid’s post-game sidebar became the headline story.

Angry words, big, bold type, after the run ‘n’ gun Oilers’ loss to the Flyers.

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In the rematch Thursday, it wasn’t quite All Quiet on the Western Front.

Punches fired, shots and goals, lots of them.

While McDavid did his talking on the ice, punctuating the Oilers’ 6-3 win with his 19th goal and two assists, linemate Patrick Maroon went after his pound of flesh midway through the second period against the willing but over-matched Manning, who figuratively was wearing the black hat even though he had on a white helmet.

“Some words were exchanged (last time) and you have to stick up for your captain. If it wasn’t me, I’m sure it would have been somebody else on our team,” said Maroon, who also won a fight against Manning a year ago, when the Oilers winger played for Anaheim. “I’m a guy who’ll stick up with his teammates and I’ll do it the right way.