The Ilya we see in Heated rivalry would not be throwing the first punch, he's not an enforcer. Ilya is a star center and a Pest. He wouldn't be doing his job correctly if he was punching players every other game, it would end up with not enough ice time to let him be the playmaker he's paid to be.

But being a pest can be playmaking! Find a player to bait, emotionally push them just enough that they try to fight you, and then get the fuck out of there before the ref gives you both penalties. This gets your team the power play. There is probably someone on Ilya's line dedicated to helping him get out of the fights he starts, and finishing them for him!

I also think this is also something that Shane would respect. Ilya is good at it and it's a good strategy for his team. I don't think Shane would see it as some dirty tactic, because Shane probably thinks everyone with a brain can see it for what it is! He probably thinks everyone should be able to see that being an asshole is a tactic for Ilya, that it's something to ignore and not fall for, that it's a strategy and not personal beef.

Paris "I'm gonna seek the new girl out on campus to whisper poetry into her ear as an intimidation tactic" Geller

Paris "wow Rory dating would be so much easier if I were gorgeous and talented and charming and wonderful like you" Geller

Paris "going to this concert with you has literally been the best night of my life" Geller

Paris "I told you I didn't want to study in person because there would be no point in just sitting around together staring at each other, then showed up anyway" Geller

Paris "anytime I have a major life event, the first person I tell is Rory" Geller

25 years of gilmore girls event - day seven: season 7 / ayitl / free choice