ANAHEIM – The bitter labor dispute between NHL owners and players has now moved from the boardroom to the courtroom.

With the players’ association strongly considering whether to disband and clear the way for potential antitrust lawsuits against the league, the NHL responded Friday by filing a class-action complaint in a New York City federal court to seek declaration confirming the ongoing legality of the lockout.

The league also filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the union has “engaged in an unlawful subversion of the collective bargaining process and conduct that constitutes bad faith bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act.”

Players from the Ducks and the Kings faced off in an exhibition match for charity.

TSN reported Friday morning that the NHLPA executive board unanimously allowed players the ability to vote on authorizing a disclaimer of interest, which is a more expedient means of dissolving the union as opposed to decertification.

It is not clear when a vote would take place, although it is believed the league’s response Friday could speed up that option. Dissolving the union would allow players to file lawsuits seeking to declare this work stoppage illegal on the basis that NHL owners cannot lock out employees who are not part of a union.

The NHLPA reportedly has until Jan. 2 to disclaim interest.

“The NHLPA has just received a copy of the National Labor Relations Board charge and has not yet been served with the lawsuit,” the union said in a statement. “However, based on what we’ve learned so far, the NHL appears to be arguing that players should be stopped from even considering their right to decide whether or not to be represented by a union. We believe that their position is completely without merit.”

The move by the union had the appearance of seeking leverage and forcing the owners’ hand as the lockout is now 90 days old. Negotiations stalled again after federal mediators failed for a second time to bring the two sides any closer to a new collective bargaining agreement.

No new talks have been scheduled but the latest developments could push the owners and players toward a resolution — one way or the other. Commissioner Gary Bettman has said he doesn’t see a season of fewer than 48 games taking place, which means a deal would realistically have to be made by the middle of January.

The NHL has said there is no drop-dead deadline, but many players see next month as the tipping point in determining whether a truncated season will take place or if the labor battle will result in a second full season erased in an eight-year span.

“We’re still hopeful that maybe January we can start this thing and get a half a season in,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “Next couple of weeks here are going to be big.”

Getzlaf was one of many NHL players, including several Ducks and Kings, who took part in a charity game Friday night at a packed Anaheim Ice to raise money for CHOC Children’s Hospital and the Jr. Ducks Pee Wee AAA team.

The NBA players’ union, embroiled in its own labor battle with its league last year, filed a disclaimer of interest and disbanded. NBA commissioner David Stern at that time declared the 2011-12 season in jeopardy but owners and players agreed to end that five-month lockout 12 days later.

Getzlaf is hoping for a similar ending but his optimism has now waned.

“I’m not confident at all,” he said. “I tried to be confident throughout this whole thing and the fact is that it seems every time we try and come close, they push away. Until they’re willing to come close, then there is nothing to be positive about.”

Said Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin: “We’re only going to find out in the future. I don’t really know what their plans are. Obviously nobody knows. I guess we’ll all find out pretty soon.”

Contact the writer: estephens@ocregister.com