During a preseason game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers in late September, Canucks forward Zack Kassian broke the jaw of Oilers center Sam Gagner with an errant, reckless swing of his stick.

Kassian was suspended eight games for his actions on the play, and as a result was out of the lineup for the first meeting between the two Canadian teams back in October. On Friday the Oilers will have their first opportunity for some payback against the young Canucks forward, and Kassian defiantly seems prepared to answer the bell.

"Obviously I'm not too worried about someone coming after me," Kassian told the Vancouver Sun on Wednesday. "I have no problem standing up for myself. If they want to get some type of revenge, the door is open. Go ahead."



Shortly after the incident the Oilers claimed pugilist Steve MacIntyre - one of the toughest fighters in the game - off of waivers. MacIntyre hasn't played a game for the Oilers this season, however, something which hasn't escaped Kassian's attention: "I'm happy MacIntyre is not in the lineup, that's for sure..."