The Ref has been putting off mentioning Domi’s Saturday night defeat at the fists of Brian McGratton for a reason. As we all know, denial is not just a river in Windsor. Is my man finally over the hill? Has Domi decided to take a back seat to Belak? Am I rattling off useless hypothetical questions like it’s my job in addition to referring to myself in the third-person like a pompous pad-sniffer?
The answers to all of these questions are open to interpretation (except maybe the last one), but GoonBlog feels that Saturday’s incident, and elements of Domi’s season thus far in general, are no reason to count him out just yet. You win some, and you lose some. And there’s no refuting Domi’s place in the hearts and minds of his fellow thumpers.
Tie’s introduction to the NHL was as an enforcer, but over time he evolved into an aware player who can rack up goals right alongside the KO’s.
"Tie Domi is kind of a role model for guys who play this role… He’s a huge part of the team. I respect a guy like Domi because he came into the league as a tough guy and has made himself into a player who contributes. That’s what we’re all trying to accomplish. You can’t just fight and expect to stay in the game." – Andrew Peters.
Kids who start playing the game at a young age, but outgrow their peers due to genetics and see their roles change, don’t always have to choose between aspiring to being either a goon or a Gretzky. And that fact is going to be increasingly more relevant in the perceived New NHL where the brutality is taking a backseat. Oh we still need the size and the strength, but you’ll have to be a well-rounded producer to boot. It’s simple evolution, like it or not. And the future holds a lot more guys like Tie.
And let’s remember – that was a pretty disrespectful taunt by the sinister Senator. To the entire Leaf team. I didn’t see anybody else get off the bench to answer the call.
GREAT POST REF! I read something about Domi being grateful to Dave Brown for fighting him early in his career when Tie was trying to make a name for himself. Earlier in the season, he turned McGratton down, when the youngster was just trying to do the same thing Domi did so many seasons ago. I think the fight Saturday speaks to Domi’s changing role, not only with the Leafs, but in the NHL itself. Over the last few years, Domi has become more of a spot picker, because he can. He doesn’t need to fight every night like before. His role is to play tough, skate his lane, contribute a couple of points a year, and when the going gets tough, he’s the guy that gets the tap on the back. I think if the NHL keeps going the way it’s going, that’s what all tough guys will be forced to do. To enforce in the new landscape, you are going to have to play a little too. I think Domi does both very well. By the way Ref, don’t take the loss too bad. McGratton is a tough customer. I think next time Domi will answer the bell to make up for the loss. McGratton it seems, is making a name for himself after all.
I can take some solace in the fact that I was born in Ottawa, and both my parents were born in Hamilton (McGrattan’s birthplace). We’re practically related.
Um. Didn’t you say the same thing about Colton Orr?
Aren’t most people from the Ottawa practically related
G’day from the valley, eh?
domi needed a good poke in the nose.
I would say there is not a more loved, or hated team than the Leafs.
leafes blow
the leafs are by far the worst team in the nhl i have ever seen… St Louis is better…. AHHHH i hate the leafs
my friends bro is best friends with McGratten… ive met him… and im so glad he shut domi’s big mouth… the leafs wine to much… especially TUCKER
Leafs are the best team in the nhl, and domi will bounce back, tucker is hsowing he can fight and score, and belak isnt afraid to answer the bell either, leafs will win the stanley cup because they have a mix of young an dold players who are all good and they are all grinders who can put the puck in the net and fight when needed.
Leafs won’t even make the playoffs, unfortunately, I’d love to see my sens stomp their asses like we have all season. And McGrattan is a fox, glad to see him kicking ass 😀
McGratton has a huuuuuge head.
you know im like the bird i can fly you know?
Kyle u lying fuck god ur retarted for the fact that tucker owns and leafs own and ur probably not freinds with mcgrattan and lexi the sens suck royally whos the team that kicks their ass every year when they meet in the playoffs it the leafs the sens talk alot but dont produce i can get better players from a cigarete machine
mcgratton rocks
and just to tell u leafs suck