In an unusual twist during the Boston Bruins’ game on Monday at TD Garden, Pavel Zacha dropped the gloves for just the second time in his NHL career to defend teammate David Pastrnak.
Zacha’s unexpected fight was triggered by a rough hit from A.J. Greer, a former Bruins player, who knocked Pastrnak from behind in what appeared to be a dangerous and questionable play.
The next day, Pastrnak shared his thoughts on the incident, expressing gratitude for Zacha’s support.
“Yeah, of course,” Pastrnak told reporters, according to a team-provided video. “You appreciate that guy having your back, you know? You want to make sure he knows you would do the same for him. So, (I) obviously appreciate it and I’m proud of him.”
Zacha wasn’t alone in standing up for Pastrnak. During the same game, Bruins captain Brad Marchand confronted Nate Schmidt, a Florida Panthers defenseman, after noticing him closing in on Boston’s star forward.
While the show of solidarity highlights the strong bond among Bruins players, the team now needs to focus on their overall performance as they navigate a rocky start to the season.
The Bruins will aim to bounce back during their upcoming game against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.
