Three games began in the first nine seconds of the 4 nations face from the US -Canada game.
When opening Puck -Drop, the US Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel did not expect to enter the action in what was a healthy scrap at all.
But only two seconds later, Matthew’s brother, Brady, went to toe with Sam Bennett, who are teammates with Matthew in the NHL at the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
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The United States Brady Tkachuk (top) fights Canada’s Sam Bennett (9) in the first period 4 Nations Face-off Hockey Action in Montreal on Saturday, February 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/the Canadian press via AP)
That wasn’t enough though. After an opening rush into the Canada zone, a scrap involved that involved almost everyone, but JT Miller and Colton Parako came in their own fight.
It caused lots of congestion in the penalty boxes, but cooler heads eventually prevailed.
The game is played in Montreal, so the tensions in the crowd were already high – the “star -sparkled banner” was booed high despite earlier pleas for not doing it and “respecting” anthem.
Brandon Hagel #38 from Team Canada responds after his match with Matthew Tkachuk #19 from Team United States (not in photo) in the first period of 4 Nations Face-off game between the US and Canada in Bell Center on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Andrea Cardin/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
Even the NHL Exec Bill Daly called it an “unfortunate situation” and hoped it would end – unfortunately.
This is the first time since 2016 that the US and Canada are on the ice in a best-at-best format since 2016 in the Hockey World Cup, which returns in 2028 after a 12-year-old hiatus.
Both teams won their first matches in the tournament, but the US is ahead of the position because of their victory, which comes in regulation; Canada needed overtime to defeat Sweden on Thursday.
Team USA star Matthew Tkachuk delivers Stern One-Liner after Canadian fans boo during the US national anthem
Canada first came on the board, with who else but Connor McDavid lighting the lamp about five and a half minutes into the game. Jake Guenztel pierced it up a few minutes later.
Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada celebrates after scoring in the first period of 4 Nations Face-off match between the US and Canada in Bell Center on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Other Ringuette/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
With a win, Americans will squeeze their place in the one-game final on Saturday in Boston, which could very well come against this same Canada team.
