Fists Fly in Fiery 4 Nations Face-Off Opener

A chaotic start marked the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the US and Canada, with three fights breaking out in just nine seconds. The intense exchange involved Matthew Tkachuk of the US, who squared off with Brandon Hagel of Canada. Tkachuk’s brother, Brady, soon joined the fray, engaging in a scuffle with Sam Bennett.

As tensions escalated, J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko got into a fight of their own. However, cooler heads eventually prevailed, preventing further violence. The game was played in Montreal, where high tensions between fans were already evident. The “Star-Spangled Banner” was booed by Canadian crowds despite pleas from the public-address announcer.

This matchup marked the first time since 2016 that the US and Canada faced off in a best-on-best format. Both teams won their opening games, with the US edging out Canada 3-1. Matthew Tkachuk’s performance was notable, particularly after he delivered a stern one-liner in response to Canadian fans booing during the American national anthem. The win secured a spot for the US in the championship game, where they could face Canada again.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/usa-canada-hockey-stars-get-numerous-fights-opening-seconds-4-nations-rivalry-after-anthem-boos