A showdown between the United States and Canada erupted into disorder on Saturday, with three brawls breaking out among players within the first nine seconds.
Athletes traded blows at Montreal’s Bell Centre during the 4 Nations clash, which the US triumphed 3-1, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau watched from the stands.
The contest unfolded amid heightened tensions between the neighboring nations, and the pre-match US national anthem was met with loud jeers from the partisan home crowd.
Booing the US anthem has become a routine occurrence in NHL and NBA matchups hosted in Canada.
It follows statements from United States President Donald Trump, who declared his intent to impose tariffs on imported products from its North American allies. He also suggested that Canada could potentially become the US’s 51st state.
Canada’s Brandon Hagel and USA’s Matthew Tkachuk were the first to be penalized after engaging in a fight just two seconds into play.
Tkachuk’s sibling Brady and Canada’s Sam Bennett then squared off in a heated clash a second later.
Another six seconds passed before the third and final scuffle, in which JT Miller and Canada’s Colton Parayko exchanged punches.
US coach Mike Sullivan commented: “I believe it truly reflects what this means to the players.
“There are two fiercely competitive teams, both carrying immense pride for their squads and nations.
“For me, when you witness that level of commitment to winning, as seen in this match, it speaks volumes. What an extraordinary hockey game.”
Canada coach Jon Cooper, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, remarked: “It wasn’t orchestrated.
“That wasn’t a case of two coaches sending players in and saying, ‘This is happening’—nothing of the sort. It was as spontaneous as it could be.”
The encounter carried additional significance, as top NHL players had not competed against one another on an international stage for a decade.
Typically, the league’s elite athletes skip the World Championships, and the NHL opted not to send participants to the 2018 or 2022 Winter Olympics.
Cooper added: “It was probably, I guess, 10 years of absence from international hockey all released in a 90-second span.”
The US secured their place in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, thanks to a brace from Jake Guentzel and an additional goal by Dylan Larkin, while Connor McDavid found the net for the hosts.
Canada will take on Finland on Monday in their concluding match of the pool stage, while the US faces Sweden.
