Domi is proving to be a versatile asset
Dec. 29, 2002
Rosie DiManno
Toronto Star

EDMONTON—In the evolving transformation of Tie Domi, goal-scoring projections have eclipsed talk of toughness and marquee fights.

The resident Maple Leaf enforcer doesn't, in fact, do much enforcing anymore and is on pace for his lowest penalty accumulation ever, despite leading the club in that category. But not by much. These days, Domi's well-earned reputation as a hard-nose is so entrenched that it serves as both preventive and pre-emptive defence mechanism — not unlike a ballistic missile in its silo sheath. First-strikers attack at their own peril.

But when captain Mats Sundin was being ceaselessly pounded in Calgary on Friday night, pasted and plastered by homing assailants, coach Pat Quinn wasted little time in calling upon Domi as a one-man praetorian guard. By the second period, Quinn had elevated Domi to the first line, inserting him on Sundin's flank to ride piston against the marauding Flames. The strategy didn't save Sundin — the big Swede was driven out of the game midway in the third when he jammed his left shoulder into the unforgiving and seamless glass — but at least it was a clean check and no self-respecting hockey player will whinge about that.

"I noticed from the start of the game that they were running Mats,'' Domi said afterward. "Pat put me on that line because he knows I'll protect my teammates. But once I got there, it was tough to do anything about it. Mats was flying and they couldn't stop him. But they wouldn't deal with me. They kept backing down.''

Domi was particularly disgusted with the lunge and retreat tactics of defenceman Denis Gauthier. "He's done that his whole career. He hits and hides.''

Quite apart from striving to protect Sundin, Domi was also delighted with his fleeting first-liner designation. Such lofty status is a rarity. And, while it's true that Quinn juggled extensively to compensate for the absence of flu-whacked Mikael Renberg, Domi acquitted himself commendably, at least keeping up with Sundin's speed.

Indeed, Domi is one of the best wheelmen on the Leaf roster. That, along with some scoring skill — eight goals this season, fourth best on the team — has made Domi a more multi-faceted and versatile asset than the majority of his one-dimensional strong-man contemporaries.

A fixture now on the third line with Robert Reichel and Jonas Hoglund — two of the most fan-vilified Leafs in history — Domi's presence has brought that unit a new-found respectability. "Fortunately, those guys — especially Robert — don't read the newspapers,'' Domi jokes, in reference to the negative coverage each linemate has received. "But I think the fans are starting to realize we need these guys, just like we need Eddie (Belfour). The fans were on his case early too. But we need these guys contributing offensively and they're only going to be able to do that if they feel like they're wanted."

Public popularity has never been Domi's problem. But earning Quinn's respect has not come so naturally. To Domi, third-line security and power-play time is evidence that he's earned Quinn's respect. For all his toughness, Domi can be poignantly insecure. But now he's benefiting from the proximity to linemates who are, at least ostensibly, skill players. "I think we complement each other well. I tell them, you guys make the plays and score goals, I'll watch your back.''

Domi is not kidding himself. He understands his bottom-line value to the Leafs. "Players know if they take liberties with any of my teammates, they'll have to answer to me.'' But he's not looking for fights. A goal is more satisfying than a pugilistic decision. And he has little patience with upstart sluggers trying to make a name for themselves off his face. "I can't just drop the gloves because some young guy wants to drop the gloves against me.''

Besides, that would probably annoy Quinn, which is the last thing Domi wants.

"If I do that, he'll take me off the top three lines. I don't want to upset him in any way.''