Matthew Schaefer has a target on his back,' but Islanders' teammates ready to rumble when called on | amNewYork

"Midway through the second period, while pinching down under the goal line to supplement his New York Islanders' attack in the Boston Bruins' zone, Schaefer got mixed up with veteran defenseman Nikita Zadorov, who did not hide his displeasure with sharing the ice with the impressive rookie blue liner. Zadorov first sent a high cross-check near the face of Schaefer, toppling the 18-year-old to the ice."

"The 6-foot, 198-pound speedster leapt onto the back of Zadorov and put him in a headlock before Islanders captain Anders Lee joined in, sparking a melee that resulted in four separate penalties. I think teams are starting to see how good he really is, Duclair told amNewYork. Obviously, you want to be hard on good players. We try to do the same with their star players, so he definitely is going to have a target on his back all year. We're here to protect him."

Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old New York Islanders defenseman, absorbed physical targeting during a game in Elmont, New York. Midway through the second period he pinched down in the Bruins' zone and was cross-checked high by Nikita Zadorov, toppling him. When Schaefer held onto Zadorov's stick, Zadorov struck him again, driving him into the boards. Schaefer said opponents will target him and every night will be a battle. Teammates responded: Anthony Duclair leapt onto Zadorov and captain Anders Lee joined, sparking a melee that produced four penalties. The Islanders lost 4-3 in a shootout.

Read at www.amny.com