NHL fires pre-emptive strike League files federal complaint while players prepare to vote on disclaimer of interest By BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media after labour negotiations with the NHLPA in New York, N.Y., Dec. 6, 2012. (LUCAS JACKSON/Reuters) NHL gathers quotes, tweets as evidence against NHLPA Predators' Colin Wilson says Gary Bettman phony

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association are ready to take their battle from the boardroom to the courtroom.

Hours after word leaked Friday the NHLPA had taken the initial steps toward legally dissolving the union, the NHL struck back by filing a class action complaint to the federal court in New York and an unfair labour practice charge with the National Labour Relations Board.

While the players were preparing to hold a vote as early as Saturday to authorize the union's executive board to file a disclaimer of interest, the NHL filed the class action complaint to uphold the legality of the lockout and took another swipe to strike back at the NHLPA before they can disclaim.