Calgary Flames fans are still holding a grudge against Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov for the way he ended up leaving Calgary last season.
Zadorov was apart of the Calgary Flames organization for two-plus seasons before requesting a trade from the team. The Calgary Flames organization would honour his request by trading him to the Vancouver Canucks before he would sign with the Boston Bruins in the off-season.
Tuesday night the Boston Bruins faced off against the Flames, but this didn't mark his first return to Scoitabank Saddledome arena since the trade, but Flames fans still ended up booing him when he stepped onto the ice for his first shift.
Zadorov stated that the boos from the fans brought a smile to his face instead of bringing him down.
The Bruins gave Flames fans plenty of chances to let their feelings towards Zadorov be known by pairing him with Charlie McAvoy on the top pair where the both of them would play over 20 minutes, Zadorov playing 20:25 which was the second most to only Charlie McAvoy.
Nikita Zadorov wasn't the only player making their homecoming as apart of the Bruins organization as Elias Lindholm also made his first trip back facing off against the organization he spent six seasons with, but Lindholm had a much more welcoming reception from the Flames fans than Zadorov did. There was even a tribute made for Lindholm during the first period.
Lindholm made the most of his return to Calgary by scoring a goal, and picking up an assist on a pretty big goal for the Bruins as it would tie the game for the Boston Bruins late in the third period.
POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 18 | 159 ANSWERS Bruins Nikita Zadorov Issues A Statement Towards Calgary Flames Fans After Booing Him In His Return Do you think it was disrespectful for the Flames fans to boo Nikita Zadorov? | ||
Yes | 96 | 60.4 % |
No | 63 | 39.6 % |
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