Fists fly and anthems booed: USA vs. Canada intensity peaks
The emotions during the USA vs. Canada hockey game extended well beyond the rink and typical sporting norms. The game in Montreal began with the booing of the American anthem and subsequent fights.
On Saturday, during the 4 Nations Face-Off between the USA and Canada, emotions reached a peak only seconds after the game started. Within just nine seconds, there were three separate fights.
Right at the beginning, Matthew Tkachuk from the USA and Brandon Hagel from Canada didn’t hesitate to drop their gloves. Just two seconds later, Matthew's brother, Brady Tkachuk, squared off against Sam Bennett, his teammate from the NHL's Florida Panthers.
An intense clash not just on the ice
Following the initial attack in Canada's zone, another fight erupted, involving almost all the players. J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko also joined the fray. Although the penalty boxes filled up quickly, the situation on the ice eventually calmed down.
The tension among fans was also evident. The American anthem was booed, despite the announcer's requests for respect towards both anthems. Bill Daly, an NHL representative, described the situation as "unfortunate."
A return to rivalry after years
This marks the first USA vs. Canada meeting in a best-on-best format since 2016, when the World Cup of Hockey was held. The tournament is set to return in 2028 after a 12-year hiatus. Both teams won their opening games in the tournament, but the USA leads the standings thanks to a victory in regulation time. Canada needed overtime to overcome Sweden.
Canada scored first when Connor McDavid netted a goal after approximately 5 minutes and 30 seconds of play. Jake Guentzel equalized a few minutes later. Ultimately, the USA defeated Canada 3-1, securing a spot in the tournament final scheduled for Thursday in Boston. The Americans might face Canada again in the decisive match.
