Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov Adheres to His Own Rules in On-Ice Fight
Nikita Zadorov's hit on Scott Laughton sparked a physical altercation during the game in Toronto. Zadorov, following the unwritten code he supports, responded after the Maple Leafs veteran was taken off his feet and forced to leave the game.
Background of the Incident
Zadorov had previously stood up for this code when Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway refused to fight him after a heavy hit injured Elias Lindholm. This time, the Bruins defenseman didn’t hesitate to engage when Bobby McMann challenged him moments after his check on Laughton.
Details of the Fight
- The fight featured wrestling and tugging between the two players.
- McMann, despite being shorter by five inches and having a similar reach disadvantage, landed some glancing right hands targeting the back of Zadorov’s helmet.
- Zadorov responded with a few short-armed uppercuts.
- Both players remained relatively uninjured as they headed to the penalty box.
“Zadorov connected on a couple of short-armed uppercuts, but neither player was much worse for the wear as they headed to the penalty box for 5 minutes.”
This incident highlights Zadorov’s commitment to the physical and unsaid rules of hockey, showing readiness to stand his ground in tough situations.
Summary: Nikita Zadorov remains true to his personal code on the ice, engaging in fights to uphold team respect and respond to physical challenges effectively.