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Phil Kessel, David Backes involved in Penguins - Bruins violence

Ice Hockey - Winter Olympics Day 8 - United States v Russia

SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 15: Cam Fowler #3 of the United States celebrates with teammates James van Riemsdyk #21, Phil Kessel #81 and David Backes #42 of the United States after scoring a goal against Sergei Bobrovski #72 of Russia in the second period during the Men’s Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A game on day eight of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Bolshoy Ice Dome on February 15, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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During these polarized political times, many look to role models for inspiration to get along. That, uh ... probably wouldn’t work out so well if you were trying to follow the lead of Phil Kessel and David Backes on Thursday.

OK, they probably didn’t get into a scuffle because of America - even Kessel needling the U.S. during the World Cup of Hockey, though there’s debate in that regard - but admit it; it’s fun to frame it that way.

Regardless, Thursday’s Boston Bruins - Pittsburgh Penguins game has been pretty dramatic, with Pittsburgh taking a 2-0 lead and then Boston charging back to go up 3-2 (at least temporarily).

With all apologies to the amusing lack of defense on Kessel’s goal, the violence brewing between the teams takes the cake, though.

You don’t get to see big names like Backes and Kessel go at it very often, even if this doesn’t really qualify as “fighting.”

So far, video isn’t available of their scuffle/roughing/etc., but there are GIFs. And they’re pretty entertaining.

It sure looks like Kessel started it, or at least was caught retaliating for something:

That GIF captured some of the violence, but here’s this piece of it, anyway:

As a reminder, Kessel sent out this sardonic tweet as the United States floundered at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey:

Sheesh, you’d think that Backes and Kessel could at least find common ground over dogs being cool, but apparently not.

The second period also ended with a fight between Colin Miller and Scott Wilson, with Wilson receiving misconduct and instigator penalties, so it’s been pretty heated between these two teams.

Again, video will be added when available. Here’s a clip of Miller vs. Wilson, at least: