Blues Rile Jackets, Preds

Philadelphia Flyers' Jim Dowd, left, Patrick Thoresen, center, kicking, and Jaroslav Modry, second from right, kick a soccer ball around in an arena hallway before Game 3 of the NHL Eastern Conference hockey finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Philadelphia, May 13, 2008. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

The Blue Jackets' 8-1 blowout win over the Blues last night featured a pair of fights and a bunch of scrums. Bad blood was apparent, and apparently kick started due to a St. Louis pre-game hallway soccer game that took place a little too close to their opponent's locker room.

From the Columbus Dispatch via Puck Daddy:

Last night, Blues players walked around the inside of the building to hold their soccer game within about 100 feet of the Jackets' players, eyewitnesses added.
Jackets alternate captain R.J. Umberger, who does sprints before every game, apparently ran through or nearby the Blues' circle sparking a verbal exchange, several eyewitnesses said. Umberger has grown weary of what he perceives as gamesmanship by the Blues, a source said.