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Friday, May 4 Updated: May 5, 2:38 PM ET Fellow enforcer denounces Domi's actions By Brian A. Shactman ESPN.com BUFFALO -- Marty McSorley was a so-called enforcer, and his stick-swing to Donald Brashear's head gave plenty of people the impression that his job description included premeditated intent to injure. Same with Tie Domi. With 2,870 penalty minutes in a dozen years, Domi is a career NHL tough guy and because of the ubiquitous replays of his elbow to Scott Niedermayer's head Thursday night, the same question is being asked: Why does the league allow players like Domi to remain in the game? Ray, left, says intending to injure another player outside of a one-on-one confrontation is not part of the enforcer's job. Fellow enforcer Rob Ray of Buffalo, who has carved out a similar existence with 2,897 penalty minutes in a 12-season NHL career, says what Domi did has nothing to do with the enforcer's job. And in Ray's mind, that's what makes his actions even worse. "We always try to talk that the guys who play our role aren't the guys who generally do stuff like that," Ray said Friday after Sabres practice. "He pulls something like that, and it's hard to justify the point we try to get across that we stick to ourselves and do our thing." According to Ray, the code of conduct among enforcers is that they deal with each other, and with other players, they simply play the game. "Usually, we're the guys that are sticking up for the other guys giving the dirty shots," Ray said. "It's generally not us that does it." The saying is true throughout the NHL: The guys who fight the most don't necessarily commit the cheap shots. Domi and McSorley, however, are the images seen by the majority -- the judging majority. “ There's an intimidation factor that we try to use as enforcers, so called enforcers, and that's not it -- physical play, not dirty play. ” — Rob Ray on the Tie Domi controversy Ray understands that hockey's etiquette is a bit different, but that doesn't make it any less authentic. "There's an intimidation factor that we try to use as enforcers, so called enforcers, and that's not it," he said. "Physical play, not dirty play." Although Ray denounced Domi's hit on Niedermayer, Ray said he was surprised. "It was definitely out of character," Ray said. "He's a guy that, combatting with over the years, you gain a respect for each other and understand what you have to do. "It's unfortunate that this has happened to him, and it's totally out of character -- knowing Tie, he's a competitor. Obviously, it's a game of emotions and his emotions got the best of him." Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com. He can be reached at brian.shactman@espn.com. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

ALSO SEE Leafs' victory over Devils marred by Domi's hit NHL hits back: Leafs' Domi out for rest of playoffs Shactman: Devils' revenge on Leafs? Winning the series Shactman: Leafs concerned, not apologetic AUDIO/VIDEO  Toronto Maple Leafs news conference RealVideo: 56.6  Players react to Tie Domi's hit on Scott Niedermayer. avi: 2903 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN Cable Modem  Scott Niedermayer is taken from the ice on a stretcher, compliments of a Tie Domi elbow. avi: 2669 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN Cable Modem  Physical play set the tone for Game 4 in Toronto. avi: 1303 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN Cable Modem  NHL Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell says the league's top concern is protecting the players. wav: 156 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6  Toronto teammates Gary Roberts and Mats Sundin react to Tie Domi's hit on Scott Niedermayer. wav: 218 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6