Bruins’ Zadorov Fined $5,000 for Punch on Blackhawks’ Vlasic
Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000 on November 1 for roughing Chicago’s Alex Vlasic during Boston’s 5-4 overtime win on October 31.
The NHL Department of Player Safety fined Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov $5,000 on November 1, the maximum permitted by the league’s labor deal, for striking Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic during their game in Boston on October 31.
The confrontation began late in the second period, after Vlasic and Bruins forward Casey Mittelstadt became involved in a scrum. Zadorov pulled Vlasic away from Mittelstadt and punched him while Vlasic was down and tangled with officials. Zadorov was assessed two minor infractions for roughing, along with a 10-minute misconduct. Vlasic was given two roughing minors.
Boston won the game 5-4 in overtime. Zadorov saw limited action late in the final frame, once his misconduct penalty had run its course, playing two shifts totaling one minute in the final five minutes of regulation.
The fine follows earlier discipline from Bruins coach Marco Sturm. Zadorov was scratched for Boston’s October 17 game after taking a double minor the previous night. Sturm said then that Zadorov needed to improve his on-ice discipline.
Zadorov entered November 1 with 47 penalty minutes, the most in the NHL and on the Bruins. He has said that defending teammates is part of how he plays, while Sturm has previously described him as an important player and leader for the team.