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Friday, May 4 Updated: May 7, 11:54 PM ET Niedermayer: Domi sought retaliation Associated Press TORONTO – Scott Niedermayer accused Tie Domi of threatening to hit him two games before doing so and even boasting it would be bad enough for a suspension. Niedermayer In his first public comments since being knocked out Thursday by the Toronto Maple Leafs' forward, Niedermayer said Monday that Domi planned the attack in retaliation for a hit from the New Jersey Devils' defenseman. Niedermayer cut Domi over the bridge of the nose with his stick in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals but was not penalized. In the waning moments of Game 4, Domi hit Niedermayer with a vicious elbow to the head. "He said he was going to take a suspension on me," Niedermayer said. After saying that he would respond to Niedermayer's comments following Monday's Game 6, won 4-2 by New Jersey, Domi apparently had a change of mind. One reporter spotted Domi leaving through a back door of the dressing room. "I'm hanging in there. I'm hanging in there," Domi said earlier in the day, adding that he so much wants to play that he would donate the money he stands to lose to charity. Should the Maple Leafs get eliminated by the Devils, Domi would miss the first eight games of next season, forfeiting $164,000 from his $1.68 million salary. Domi was indeed suspended by the NHL and must sit out for at least the rest of the playoffs. Niedermayer wouldn't reveal more details of Domi's threat, adding only that he believed Domi was going to go after him. "So I kept one eye on him when I was on the ice and he was on the ice at the same time. But I never expected anything more than that," Niedermayer said. Despite being on the lookout, Niedermayer said he didn't see Domi coming in the final seconds of Game 4 until it was too late. "I just remember turning around and seeing him. That was it," said Niedermayer, who's seen one replay of the hit. "I don't remember me having a chance to do anything, really. I vaguely remember him, not very well." On Saturday, Domi said he regretted what happened, saying it was a "stupid reaction." He then added: "I sincerely hope Scott will be well soon enough to play hockey again." Despite the suspension, Domi is allowed to practice with the team. Niedermayer, who sustained a concussion, missed his second game of the series Monday and wasn't sure if he would be ready to play Thursday in Game 7. Niedermayer looked relaxed and spoke in a calm voice during a 20-minute news conference. He said he is feeling better and has been able to sleep. Niedermayer said Domi left a message on his answering machine but that he's not sure whether he can forgive him. "I don't know if it's really a place for me to talk about how I feel about what happened or my thoughts towards Tie at all in public," he said. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

ALSO SEE Devils dodge elimination, force Leafs to Game 7 Tearful Domi apologizes, says suspension too harsh Wojnarowski: Devils distracted by Domi's shadow NHL hits back: Leafs' Domi out for rest of playoffs More problems for Leafs: Quinn shoves photographer Ray: Domi's out of line 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  Scott Niedermayer was aware that Tie Domi was going to go out of his way to take a shot at him. wav: 252 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6  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