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London Knights Max Domi celebration after empty-netter in elimination game sparks controversy (VIDEO)
Chances are, all Max Domi did was create a little more separation between those who love his skill and will to win and those who might resent him as the son of infamous former Toronto Maple Leafs agitator Tie Domi.
On Friday, the London Knights star might have breached the unwritten rules of hockey etiquette by doing a fist pump while practically in the face of Kitchener Rangers defender Max Iafrate after scoring the empty-netter that wrapped up a 4-1 win (and a series victory by the same margin). That caused Iafrate to punch Domi in retaliation and set off a sizable Twitter storm, although not nearly as big as the one over Toronto Blue Jays leadoff hitter Jose Reyes' ankle injury.
The over-the-top 'celly' is more acceptable in junior hockey than in the NHL. Sportsnet commenter Sam Cosentino chided Domi for not exercising more restraint and perhaps celebrating while being so close to opponent, which is the key difference between the everyday banging the glass or sweeping the ice exultation you often see from juniors. Domi and Iafrate had some run-ins earlier in the series.
(Knights beat reporter John Matisz reported Domi suffered a cut lip.)
Conversely, maybe this is a case of the victor collecting the spoils. One could say that a top scorer such as Domi, who was ninth in OHL regular-season scoring with 87 points and is sixth with 14 in the playoffs, could have acted like he's been there before, since he is so often (and will be again). Then again, he is 18 years old.
Given the OHL's track record for stiff suspensions, it would not be a shock if Iafrate earned a suspension for the first few games of next season.
I'm not condoning what Iafrate did there but Domi kinda brought that on himself by celebrating in his face.
— Patrick King (@SNPatrickKing) April 13, 2013
@ryanhpscout Domi deserved that. Total disrespect
— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) April 13, 2013
"@ryanatlfpress: I don't see Iafrate pointing at the scoreboard anymore." Domi was Hot Dogging. He's a great player doesn't need to do that
— Dave Schneider (@DaveSchneiderKW) April 13, 2013
Zero class from Max Domi after scoring that empty netter. Game won, series clinched. Show some integrity and win like a man. #OHLPlayoffs
— John Langdon (@JohnLangdon84) April 13, 2013
Not impressed with Max Domi's in your face celly as he scores the empty netter. #Knights #2013NHLDraft
— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) April 13, 2013
@pdawg57 @rossyyoungblood @ryanhpscout Domi needs to smarten up. He directed his celebration right @ Iafrate, deserved to be injured.
— OHLInsiders (@OHLinsiders) April 13, 2013
Chalk it up to youthful insouciance. Domi might have just reminded us that being a great athlete requires a healthy arrogance and the knack for driving opponents to distraction. The humility that is also necessary comes in good time.
As Kathryn Jean (@msconduct) pointed out, The Knights were involved in a similar situation with a player appearing to direct a victory celebration at an opponent. Then-Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds centre Nick Cousins, one of the OHL's peskiest players, bumped London's Ryan Rupert at the final buzzer, leading to a retaliatory slash to the midsection. Rupert was suspended five games.
Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca (video: Rogers Sportsnet).
