Hockey Player Gets in Fight With Fan

P H I L A D E L P H I A, March 30, 2001 -- 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."

Jonas Hoglund scored the game-winning goal less than a minutelater as the Maple Leafs defeated the Flyers for the second time infive days. Toronto has lost three of five — winning only againstPhiladelphia.

Toronto also got an early power-play goal from Gary Roberts, whoknocked the puck in during a scuffle in front of the net 57 secondsinto the second period.

Toronto Still Hangs on to Win

Philadelphia outshot Toronto 39-27 as the Flyers recorded theirhighest shot total this season.

Toronto's Curtis Joseph, 4-12 against the Flyers, made a seriesof big saves, including catching a shot by Paul Ranheim at the endof the second period and stopping Dean McAmmond on a breakawayearly in the third.

"We've had some disappointing outings in the last littlewhile," Toronto coach Pat Quinn said. "It was an important gamefor us, both for our frame of mind as we approach playoffs, andalso we didn't have anything assured at this point."

The penalty-box antics didn't help the Flyers escape theirfourth game without a win. The Flyers dropped to 0-4-2 this seasonwithout Keith Primeau, who leads the team with 34 goals — 11 on thepower play. The other Philadelphia centers have only 37 goalscombined.