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As long as there is respect, Dube shouldn’t have to worry about being in a vulnerable position or worry that nobody will give him the confidence to play a skilled game that got him to this level.

“I feel like hockey could be the ugliest if we didn’t have a code,” said the 20-year-old Dube. “When you’re going that fast and guys are looking different ways, you have to respect each other and there’s a line. Gudbranson hit me and he apologized.

“But I could have got there quicker. I had my back to him and that’s the kind of player he is — he’s going to take that hit. You can expect that every time. I was just a little bit dazed stepping out there and I knew I had to get to a spot and I just didn’t get there. I blame myself.

“I was looking to tip the puck in and get in on the forecheck. I know I didn’t touch it, but that’s my fault. The hit was fine. He’s just way bigger than me. Maybe he got me a little higher because I’m 5-foot-11 but his arm and shoulder were down.”

As for Hamonic’s role in the retribution, there was a consensus that he did the right thing. He challenged Gudbranson to the fight because he didn’t like the hit. And he didn’t want anybody thinking that a kid playing his first NHL regular-season game wasn’t going to be protected.

That’s the code.

“It’s still a big part of the game,” said Flames goalie Mike Smith. “This early in the season, there are a lot of new kids in the league and guys feed off that (Hamonic challenge). It should help establish an atmosphere and having each others’ backs.

“There are not as many enforcers out there and sometimes I feel we’re going the wrong way with that because guys are getting away with stuff. The league has done a good job with (supplementary) discipline now and dangerous hits that a can put an end to a career.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

twitter.com/@benkuzma

White Towel Podcast: Paul Chapman and Patrick Johnston discuss Vancouver Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson’s first game with the team.

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