Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov lands a punch during a fight with Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) in the third period of an NHL hockey game on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
The Bruins were already energized after scoring the go-ahead goal, but it was Zadorov’s fight that really pushed them over the top.
With Boston holding onto a 3-2 lead in the final seconds, Panthers forward Sam Bennett cross-checked Zadorov in the face with just 3.3 seconds left on the clock. Zadorov didn’t hesitate—he immediately grabbed Bennett and started swinging.
“I’m in front of the net, the guy cross-checks me in the face, I’ve got to step up for myself,” Zadorov explained. “It was just a hockey moment. It wasn’t about sending a message or anything like that. I play hard against everyone. You can call it sending a message, but that’s just how I play.”
Zadorov wasn’t with the Bruins last season when Bennett delivered a sucker-punch to Brad Marchand, causing him a concussion in the playoffs. Marchand also wasn’t on the ice during this game. However, the Bruins fans, ever passionate, rallied behind Zadorov’s action, creating an energy in the crowd that had been rare this season.
- “Nikita Zadorov
There’s always a game within the game, and you try to win those, of course,” Zadorov said. “There’s definitely history between these two teams. I wasn’t a part of it. I’m just playing hard.”
The fight itself didn’t last long. Zadorov, towering over Bennett by five inches, landed a few right-handed punches before Bennett went down, with Zadorov on top. The crowd booed Bennett as he threw a few shots at Zadorov while being restrained by the linesman. Zadorov didn’t mind.
“It’s emotions. I was kind of pushing him when he was on the ground,” Zadorov said. “Don’t read too much into it. We’re both human. We both want to win. He’s a competitor, and I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it.”
As Zadorov headed to the bench, he shouted at Bennett and fired up the crowd. Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei, clearly hyped by the moment, said, “I haven’t been that fired up in a long time. That was unbelievable.”