Overview
- In the second period at UBS Arena on Nov. 4, Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov knocked down 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer behind Boston’s net.
- Islanders captain Anders Lee, Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau immediately engaged Zadorov, triggering a melee.
- After officials sorted the scrum, Lee and Duclair received roughing minors, while Zadorov was called for interference and a double-minor for roughing, giving New York a power play.
- Coach Patrick Roy praised the swift support and framed it as the standard for protecting their top pick, while Schaefer and teammates described the group as family.
- The episode fits a season-long pattern of opponents testing the impressive rookie, who now has 11 points in 13 games as his role expands.