Nikita Zadorov Dominates Matthew Schaefer and Faces Islanders Fans Online
Nikita Zadorov is a formidable presence both on the ice and on social media. This was clear Thursday night at UBS Arena when the Boston Bruins defenseman delivered a crushing hit to New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer.
Incident During the Game
About halfway through the second period, with the Islanders leading 1-0, Zadorov completed a strong check that slammed Schaefer into the boards. As Schaefer rose, he held onto Zadorov's stick, prompting Zadorov to push him back down onto the ice.
This sparked a melee as players from both teams rushed in to protect the rookie. The referees penalized Zadorov with a minor penalty for interference and a double minor for roughing.
“I looked at my PIMs from last year,” Zadorov told reporters on Long Island with a hint of humor. “I need to get them up this year.”
Aftermath on Social Media
Islanders fans quickly flooded Zadorov’s Instagram direct messages in defense of Schaefer, showing how passionate they were about the incident. However, Zadorov’s reputation as a tough competitor on and off the ice remained intact.
Summary
Zadorov’s forceful hit on Schaefer led to penalties and a social media backlash, demonstrating his aggressive style and the strong reactions it provokes from fans.
Author’s Note: Nikita Zadorov's physical play continues to create memorable moments that stir both the crowd and online communities.