Nikita Zadorov Calls Out Islanders Fans After Incident with Matthew Schaefer
During a routine Bruins-Islanders game on Long Island, Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov intensified the physicality by targeting Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall draft pick. After a quiet first period, Zadorov confronted Schaefer behind the Boston net, shoving him multiple times and earning a minor penalty for interference when Schaefer was knocked to the ice.
Zadorov then escalated the situation by striking Schaefer in the face, leading to six penalty minutes total—two for interference and a double minor for roughing. Despite the penalty, the Islanders failed to capitalize on the power play. The Bruins won the match in a shootout, marking their fourth consecutive victory.
Zadorov’s Response to the Crowd
"We needed to create our own energy because the crowd was sleeping tonight a little bit," Zadorov said. "So I felt like we had to go out there and create our own energy, get everybody going on the bench, get excited."
Zadorov expressed frustration with the subdued fan reaction at UBS Arena and felt compelled to boost the energy on the ice himself.
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Author's summary: Nikita Zadorov ignited a heated exchange with Matthew Schaefer and criticized the quiet Islanders fans, emphasizing the need to generate energy during the game.