The rivalry between USA and Canada exploded into chaos within seconds of their 4 Nations Face-Offclash, as three separate fights broke out in the first nine seconds of play. With tensions already high inside Montreal’s Bell Centre, the game turned into a battleground before the puck had even settled. In the end, USA triumphed 3-1, but the night will be remembered for its fiery start.
The tone was set when the home crowd booed the American national anthem in protest, a trend seen in NHL and NBA games on Canadian soil. The political backdrop only heightened the intensity, with Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs and his comments about Canada potentially becoming the USA’s 51st state fueling nationalistic fervor.
On the ice, the fists flew immediately. Just two seconds in, Brandon Hagel and Matthew Tkachukignited the first brawl. A second later, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett followed suit. By the ninth second, JT Miller and Colton Parayko had squared off, sending shockwaves through the arena.
USA coach Mike Sullivan saw the chaos as a testament to the passion involved. “It just shows what this means to the players,” he said. “Two teams full of pride, fighting for their countries—what an incredible hockey game.”
Canada’s Jon Cooper, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, insisted the fights weren’t premeditated. “That was as organic as it gets,” he stated. “It was ten years of no international hockey exhaled in a minute and a half.”
With top NHL stars absent from global tournaments for a decade, this matchup was a long-awaited battle between elite players. Jake Guentzel’s brace and a Dylan Larkin goal secured USA’s spot in the final, while Connor McDavid struck for Canada.
Canada must now defeat Finland on Monday to keep their tournament hopes alive, while USA faces Sweden in their final group-stage match.
