‘That Was Pretty Clean’: Maple Leafs’ Max Domi Defends Controversial Reverse Hit To Islanders Defenseman Isaiah George

The Toronto Maple Leafs secured their second consecutive victory, defeating the New York Islanders both on home ice Tuesday, 3-1, and again Thursday in Long Island, 2-1, marking back-to-back wins over the club in just a matter of days.

Related: ‘That’s The Difference In The Game’: Joseph Woll Stands Tall, Plays Key Factor In Maple Leafs' Victory Over Islanders

However, the victory was not without controversy, as a highly debated reverse hit involving Maple Leafs forward Max Domi became the focal point of the post-game discussion.

The action unfolded in the second period with the game still knotted with no score. As Simon Benoit dumped the puck deep behind the Islanders’ net, Domi chased it down. In a split second, he lined up Islanders defenseman Isaiah George, who was chasing after the puck in the right corner.

As George approached Domi’s backside, Domi delivered a reverse hit that sent the 20-year-old to the ice in clear agony.

With well-timed movement, Domi’s left arm made contact with George’s head, just as the young defenseman was unsuspecting. The angle made it appear as though the 29-year-old had caught George's chin with his elbow – causing him to leave the game and enter concussion protocol. He finished the night with just 8:07 of ice time.

No penalty was called and play continued.

Islanders forward Casey Cizikas then blindly turned the puck over moments after the hit with Nick Robertson setting up Bobby McMann for a goal that gave Toronto a 1-0 lead.

McMann would go on to score again, securing the victory for the Maple Leafs 2-1.

Post-game, Domi didn’t back down from his stance on the incident – defending his actions.

“It's part of the game, right? Got to be physical and get in on the forecheck. Separated the body from the puck, and Robbie and Bobby did the rest," said Domi.

When asked about what makes the reverse hit clean specifically, Domi took a straightforward approach that he deems only a player could understand.

“I think you have to play to understand that one,” Domi explained. “So just go watch that. That was pretty clean, that one. That's a good way of doing it,” he added.

The Islanders, of course, saw it differently, with the team among those who felt the hit should have been penalized.

To be frank, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy called the hit a “clear headshot.”

“Well, I guess we have a different opinion of the situation and that hit, which, to me, was clearly a headshot,” he told Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News, his frustration evident.

From the Islanders' perspective, it was an avoidable injury that led to a costly turnover, a goal and, well, the game.

“It didn’t seem legal to me,” said Islanders forward Hudson Fasching. "Obviously, it looks like he got an elbow to the chin. That was our take on it. We weren’t very happy about it. We thought it should have been a penalty."

“We would have loved a call. We thought he got him in the head,” added Islanders captain Anders Lee. “Had to check the replay. We don't really get to see that right off the hop. But they thought he didn't, so that was a discrepancy there.”

Controversy or not, Domi escaped penalty-free, and without a doubt, it played a crucial role in the Leafs’ 2-1 win in Long Island on Thursday night.

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