"Scott Niedermayer can't remember the last time he'd thrown punches in a hockey game.

"I don't think I've fought since I've been in Anaheim," said Niedermayer, who signed with the Ducks in 2005.

Niedermayer got into an unlikely tussle with another unlikely fighter, Pavel Datsyuk, at the end of Game 6. It was just one of several minor scuffles on the ice.

But if anyone thinks any messages were being sent by other team, they would wrong.

"I've never sent a message in 17 years (in the league)," Niedermayer said. "It's more emotion. Just one thing led to another. I can't remember the last time I had a major for fighting. It's been a while."

Niedermayer was surprised as anyone it was Datsyuk who was entangled with him. More so because Datsyuk has three consecutive Lady Byng trophies for sportsmanship and gentlemanly play.

"Obviously it's a guy who I don't know if he's ever had a fight," Niedermayer said. "It definitely wasn't two heavyweights."

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle was surprised to read accusations of his players jumping Red Wings players in the altercation.

Said Carlyle: "There was nobody jumping anybody. There was a lot of emotion flying. Players on the ice will tell you nobody is sending any message one way or another.""