Nikita Zadorov rips Isles fans after Matthew Schaefer hits

Nikita Zadorov Responds to Islanders Fans After Incident with Matthew Schaefer

Nikita Zadorov confronted Islanders fans following a clash with No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer during Tuesday's game at UBS Arena. The Bruins defenseman addressed his critics on Instagram, telling them to focus on cheering for their team in the arena rather than messaging him directly.

“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 messages sent to him right after the game as part of his response.

Incident Details

During the second period of the Islanders' 4-3 shootout loss, Zadorov delivered a two-handed stick check to 18-year-old Schaefer behind the Bruins' net. He then pushed Schaefer to the ice as the young player tried to recover, which led to Islanders captain Anders Lee and Anthony Duclair rushing to confront Zadorov, sparking a chaotic scrum.

Game Atmosphere and Reactions

The crowd of 15,585 at UBS Arena, which holds 17,255, voiced their displeasure toward Zadorov for the remainder of the game. The attendance ranked fourth highest among seven home games this season, with only one sellout so far.

The Islanders chose not to comment on Zadorov’s social media post and skipped practice on Wednesday. Fans continued to support their team by chanting for Schaefer and goalie Ilya Sorokin.

“There’s going to be battles every night,” Schaefer said after the game.

Such intense moments highlight the physical and emotional nature of hockey rivalries.

Author’s summary: Nikita Zadorov’s on-ice clash with Matthew Schaefer sparked a heated exchange with fans and players, reflecting the fierce competition in NHL games.

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Newsday Newsday — 2025-11-06

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