Nikita Zadorov Responds to Islanders Fans After Incident with Matthew Schaefer
Nikita Zadorov criticized Islanders fans who targeted him online following his altercation with No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer on Tuesday night at UBS Arena.
Zadorov's Instagram Response
On his verified Instagram account, the Bruins defenseman wrote:
Get out of my DMs and go to the rink to cheer for your team. That place was a library tonight.
He shared a screenshot of direct messages he received immediately after the game, overlaying it with this message as a story.
On-Ice Incident Description
Midway through the second period of the Islanders' 4-3 shootout loss, Zadorov struck 18-year-old Schaefer twice behind the Bruins’ net. The first was a two-handed whack with his stick; then he pushed Schaefer to the ice while the rookie tried to regain balance.
This sparked a confrontation led by Islanders captain Anders Lee and Anthony Duclair, resulting in a heated scrum.
Penalties and Reactions
- Zadorov was assessed a double-minor penalty for roughing and two additional minutes for interference.
- He continued an intense exchange with Lee while both sat in the penalty box.
- The crowd of 15,585 showed displeasure with Zadorov throughout the game.
Attendance and Atmosphere
Tuesday’s crowd at UBS Arena, which holds 17,255, was the fourth largest of the season's seven home games so far, with just one sellout to date. Fans repeatedly chanted for Schaefer and goalie Ilya Sorokin, creating a charged atmosphere.
Team Response and Player Comments
The Islanders declined to comment on Zadorov's social media post and skipped practice on Wednesday. Schaefer remarked after the game:
There’s going to be battles every night.
Summary
Zadorov’s physical play and subsequent social media reaction intensified tensions with Islanders fans, underscoring the fierce competitive environment in the NHL.
Would you prefer the tone to be more neutral or more emotional in the summary?