Nikita Zadorov Responds to Islanders Fans After Matthew Schaefer Hit
Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov criticized New York Islanders fans following a heated incident with rookie Matthew Schaefer during Tuesday night’s game at UBS Arena.
“Get out of my DMs and go to the rink to cheer for your team,” Zadorov posted on his verified Instagram account. “That place was a library tonight.”
Zadorov shared a screenshot of the direct messages he received after the game, overlaying his message on it. In the second period of the Islanders’ 4-3 shootout loss, he gave 18-year-old Schaefer a two-handed stick strike behind the Bruins’ net and pushed him to the ice again as Schaefer tried to stand. The confrontation triggered a scuffle led by Islanders captain Anders Lee and forward Anthony Duclair.
Zadorov received a double-minor for roughing and another penalty for interference. He and Lee exchanged words while sitting in the penalty box, as the crowd of 15,585 loudly voiced their anger for the rest of the game.
Attendance ranked fourth among the team’s seven home games this season at the 17,255-capacity arena, which has seen one sellout so far. The Islanders declined to comment on Zadorov’s post and did not hold practice the following day. Fans, however, showed their support by chanting for Schaefer and goaltender Ilya Sorokin.
“There’s going to be battles every night,” Schaefer said after the game.
Author’s Summary
A postgame clash between Nikita Zadorov and Islanders fans erupted online after his hard hit on rookie Matthew Schaefer, intensifying rivalry tensions at UBS Arena.