Tony DeAngelo challenges Corey Perry

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman is scheduled to have a phone hearing with the National Hockey League after an incident in last night's game in which he speared Tampa Bay Lightning pest Corey Perry, and he could be facing a fine or suspension for his actions. 

Perry clearly tried to slash DeAngelo's stick, but the replay show that the latter certainly did cross a line when it came to his response; Lightning players were certainly upset and immediately piled on the Flyers defenseman, led by Pat Maroon.

And in vintage DeAngelo form, his initial postgame remarks when telling his side of things began with a bit of snark.

"Did you watch the game? What happened?" he responded to a reporter who asked for his account of what took place with Perry. 

"I was trying to give him a little shot, I wasn't looking for it to go there," DeAngelo continued. "He tried to slash my stick out of my hands a second beforehand; he talks all game. I asked him to fight, he didn't want to. He'll tell you he's asked me to fight for years - I don't say no." 

"I took 30 punches on the ground, and they don't let me do what I want to do. It's whatever." 

Never one to back down from saying exactly what's on his mind with no filter, DeAngelo had no problem issuing a challenge to Perry.

"There's no history because he doesn't want there to be a history," he said. "I'm ready to go whenever, it is what it is." 

If Perry and DeAngelo are to in fact drop the gloves at some point, it will have to come next season, as the Lightning and Flyers don't play each other again in their respective schedules this year.