Brett Gallant and Krys Barch challenged each other to a bout in an NHL exhibition game Thursday night, but before they began pummelling each other they exhibited civility not unlike duelling Englishmen.

But it wasn't a show of manners for the NHL forwards. The New York Islanders winger and his New Jersey Devils counterpart removed each other's helmets prior to the tilt to circumvent a new NHL rule. 

The rule prevents fighters from taking their own helmets off, punishable by an extra two minutes in the penalty box.

So what a better solution than to do the honours for your opponent? Effective, and rather humourous.

At first, it appeared Barch was about to remove his own helmet, but quickly put it back on and let Gallant do the honours.

Take a look at the spectacle below: