Segment from documentary What it takes where Tie Domi,Bob Probert,Don Cherry and others talk about the two great fights between Domi and Probert.

ROUND 1

NEW YORK (AP) - It was old-time hockey between two of the NHL's original six teams. Lots of hitting, plenty of fighting - and a lot of hard feelings.

Sheldon Kennedy's first goal of the season late in the second period gave the Detroit Red Wings a 5-5 tie with the New York Rangers on Sunday night. But afterwards, both sides were busier accusing the other of playing dirty than enjoying the point.

"It was a dirty hockey game; you have to say by both sides," Detroit coach Bryan Murray said after the two teams combined for 162 penalty minutes - 62 in a first-period brawl that featured Detroit heavyweight Bob Probert of Windsor and New York agitator Tie Domi of Belle River.

Ray Sheppard had just given Detroit a 2-1 lead at 9:34 of the first period when Probert and Domi squared off. Domi, at a considerable size disadvantage, held his own with the NHL's heavyweight champ and cut him near the right eye. Probert, who also has 15 goals and 33 points in 45 games - totals Domi can only dream about - said he shouldn't have let himself get involved.

"It was foolish for me to fight him in the first place. I'm here to play hockey," he said. "Fighting guys like that gets old."

Probert took an early penalty for cross-checking and Rangers' coach Roger Neilson said he put Domi on the ice with a purpose.

"It's obvious that he's our tough guy and Probert is their tough guy and they were bound to meet sometime," Neilson said. "I tried to match lines, especially when Probert came out hitting."

Domi, who said Probert kept calling him "dummy," said he was just "doing my job.

"He ran a couple of our guys and I took it upon myself to stand up to him. He called me 'dummy' about five times, but I'm pretty sure he's not known for being a rocket scientist."

ROUND 2

Battle Royale: Domi takes beating but sparks team
By John Kreiser, AP Sports Writer, Dec. 3, 1992.

NEW YORK (AP) - Tie Domi was perfectly willing to trade a battering for a victory.

Domi, a Belle River native, got the worst of a long-anticipated rematch Wednesday night with Detroit's Bob Probert, a Windsor native.

Probert is the NHL's reigning heavyweight champ. But the welts on Domi's face couldn't dampen his smile after the New York Rangers defeated the Red Wings 5-3.

"The bottom line is that we won the game. We got the two points, and any way I can contribute to a win is OK," said Domi, who had been scratched for New York's three previous games and has played only 11 times in 25 games this season.

Domi had cut Probert in a fight last Feb. 9 and was out with a knee injury when the two teams met a month later.

They needed only 37 seconds Wednesday night to renew acquaintances.

"I had an idea when I put Probie out there on his shift and saw Domi come over the boards that something might happen," Detroit coach Bryan Murray said. "It happened at the right spot, right in front of our bench, and I think it helped our team."

Probert tugged at Domi, then cross-checked him. The two looked at each other, threw down their gloves and started swinging, with Probert landing more than 45 punches to about 20 for Domi in a bout that lasted more than a minute and sent the sellout crowd of 18,200 - and both benches - into a frenzy.

"Bob hasn't been doing much fighting this year," Murray said. "To be challenged helped our team."

Domi, who had been cautioned by GM Neil Smith not to create a sideshow atmosphere, skated off to the penalty box with a smile.

"I said I'd show up," he said. "I guess I showed up.

"I think he should've gotten an instigator penalty. It was a good one (fight) and, hey, we won the game."

Probert didn't want to discuss the fight.

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