A fiery opening to Saturday night’s 4-Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Canada set the tone for an intense rivalry matchup. The two teams combined for three fights within the first nine seconds of play, showcasing the animosity that still simmers between them.
Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel started things off with a scrap just as the puck was dropped, followed by Brady Tkachuk taking on Sam Bennett moments later. J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko soon joined the fray, fueling tensions among players and coaches alike.
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics gold medal game between these two teams remains one of the most memorable in recent history, with Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal securing Canada’s victory. Although many on Team USA weren’t present for that championship win, it’s clear their rivalry has endured for nearly 15 years.
As the Round Robin phase comes to a close, hockey fans are eager to see which team will emerge from this competition with bragging rights and secure a spot in Thursday’s championship game.
Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25154912-usa-vs-canada-starts-3-fights-4-nations-face-leaves-nhl-fans-energized