Bruins’ Nikita Zadorov Upholds His Own Code in Maple Leafs Clash
Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov once again honored the code of conduct he’s long supported. After a strong hit on Toronto’s Scott Laughton sent the forward off his feet and out of the game, Zadorov didn’t back down when challenged moments later.
The sequence echoed a recent incident involving Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway, who declined to fight Zadorov after injuring Elias Lindholm with a heavy check. This time, Zadorov made sure to respond directly.
"He lived up to the unwritten rules he championed against Buffalo."
When Toronto forward Bobby McMann dropped the gloves, the two engaged in a scrappy second-period fight. McMann, giving up several inches in height and reach, landed a few light right hands to the back of Zadorov’s helmet. Zadorov countered with a couple of short, sharp uppercuts.
Neither skater seemed seriously affected, and both were sent to the penalty box for five minutes as the crowd roared in approval.
Author’s summary:
Zadorov reaffirmed his reputation as an enforcer who stands by hockey’s traditional code, answering every hit with accountability on the ice.