Hockey Player Gets in Fight With Fan

P H I L A D E L P H I A, March 30 -- Tie Domi had never before chipped a tooth,and only once before had he fought in the penalty box.

On Thursday night, he did both.

Domi, Toronto's penalty-minutes leader, wrestled with aspectator who tumbled into the box during the Maple Leafs' 2-1victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.

"That hasn't happened to me since I was 15 years old in juniorhockey. It was a mascot," Domi said. "Hey, that's old-timehockey. It was perfect."

Earlier in the game, he chipped a tooth when he fell to the ice.

Water Squirting Leads to Skirmish

The rugged forward, penalized early in the third period, wasbeing taunted by fans. Twice, he sprayed water on a few who weresitting in the front row before Chris Falcone, a 36-year-oldconcrete worker from Havertown, Pa., lunged toward Domi.

Falcone landed on the glass partition separating fans from thebox. The glass gave way, and Falcone and Domi scuffled beforelinesman Kevin Collins stepped in.

Domi's actions were reviewed by arena security, and the NHL isexpected to conduct its own review, which could lead to a fine andsuspension.

"They threw stuff at me. Once was enough," Domi said. "Afterthe second one, I told the guy in the penalty box that after onemore I was going to squirt water. So I squirted water. I didn'tplan on fighting anybody."

Falcone, treated by medical personnel at the arena, did not goto a hospital. He was given a police citation that requires a courtappearance.

Domi was not penalized further and played later in the period.

Domi Knocked Down by a High Stick

Earlier in the game, Domi was knocked to the ice by a high stickfrom Philadelphia goalie Roman Cechmanek — much to the delight ofcheering Flyers fans who uttered derisive chants when he returnedto the ice late in the third.

"It's kind of comical, as long as it's a freak thing and nobodygets hurt," said Dan McGillis, who scored Philadelphia's only goalat 8:12 of the first. "He's the kind of guy who likes to get thecrowd going and get the other team going."