Nazem Kadri had a collision with Blues’ goalie Jordan Binnington during Game 3. As a result, Binnington had to leave the game and will not return in the series against the Avalanche. The incident was accidental from Kadri, but the Blues’ players weren’t happy with him, and Binnington even threw a water bottle at Kadri after the game that the Avalanche won.
After the game, Blue’s fans have turned to social media to send racist messages and even death threats toward Kadri, and local authorities have even been involved.
But Kadri responded in the best way possible, scoring a hat trick in Game 4. He put up four points as the Avalanche won 6-3, and they are now up 3-1 in the series. Afterward, Kadri responded to the hatred against him, saying that he played better because of it.
”That was all my motivation. Thank the St. Louis fans for that one,” Kadri said.
Kadri also talked to the TNT, saying that he’s aware that the racial abuse against him doesn’t represent every fan in St. Louis, but he had a clear message.
“For those that hate, that’s for them,” Kadri said.
The Avalanche now has the chance to clinch a place in the Western Conference Final on Wednesday, when Game 5 is playing in Colorado.