Not only were tensions high prior to the USA and Canada facing off in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday night, but they remained built up post-puck drop.
Just nine seconds into the contest, three (!) fights broke out between the two teams. Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel started it off, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett answered on the next face-off, and JT Miller and Colton Parayko rounded out the fun following a stop inside Canada's crease.
Here's a look at all three bouts:
MATTHEW TKACHUK AND BRANDON HAGEL DROP THE GLOVES OFF THE BAT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NlBt1UcHRf
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 16, 2025
NOW BRADY TKACHUK AND SAM BENNETT ARE THROWING HAYMAKERS 🔥
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 16, 2025
THIS IS USA-CANADA HOCKEY 😱 pic.twitter.com/TlqEfR0uIL
WE'VE GOT A THIRD FIGHT NINE SECONDS INTO THE GAME
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 16, 2025
JT MILLER AND COLTON PARAYKO 🚨 pic.twitter.com/EcYyGPl8Ir
As Matthew Tkachuk's brother Brady met him in the penalty box, the two were visibly fired up about how they got things going for their home country:
HOW ARE WE FEELING ???? pic.twitter.com/EB2MeKONsO
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 16, 2025
Once the real hockey began, the scoring opened up at a rapid rate. Connor McDavid put one home for Team Canada at the 5:31 mark—with Jake Guentzel answering less than five minutes later.
The 4 Nations Face-Off will continue on Monday in Boston with two more contests—Canada vs. Finland and Sweden vs. USA—before the final on Thursday night.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Three Fights Break Out Between USA, Canada Nine Seconds Into 4 Nations Face-Off Matchup.
