Matt Stienburg Drops the Gloves with Nikita Zadorov as Proud Dad Trevor Watches and Films

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Daniel Lucente
October 17, 2024 (11:19)

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It was a heated affair in the game between the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche, and Matt Stienburg dropped his gloves for the first time while his dad filmed.

Colorado forward Matt Stienburg didn't take long to find himself in an intense moment of his first game in the NHL, completing his first fight on the ice. The fight came after Stienburg had made a hit on Bruins forward Matt Poitras. Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov took exception to the play and came after the rookie, slashing him, at which point both players dropped the gloves and squared off. It was a first fight to remember for Matt Stienburg as his father, a former NHL player and scout, videoed the whole thing. You can watch the fight below.

Matt Stienburg's first NHL fight

The size difference between the two combatants was staggering. According to the official NHL listings, Stienburg goes 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, while Zadorov comes in at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds. So that means Stienburg was at a five-inch height and 62-pound weight disadvantage, adding to the degree of difficulty on his first on-ice fight.

Given the size differential in this fight, the actual fight was less about the true exchange of blows but more a display of the play. Neither of the players really connected on any decent punches, but at least Stienburg looked better visually during it. Zadorov couldn't get his gloves off in time while Stienburg took advantage of the moment, grabbing onto Zadorov's jersey with one hand and swinging at the back of his head with the other, although few punches actually connected.

Finally, Zadorov asserted his will using his size to control the affair. Stienburg never landed a clean shot as Zadorov kept his elbow in a good position and wrapped up the rookie before taking him down to the ice, much like a defensive end taking down a quarterback. Just about as quickly as it started, the fight was over as officials stepped in to separate the two players.

The scuffle also earned an extra two minutes to Nikita Zadorov for slashing, putting Colorado on the power play. They capitalized on it to make it 4-2, making the remainder of the period all Colorado.