Intense US‑Canada hockey rivalry ignites with anthem boos, brawls
The emotions during the USA vs. Canada hockey game extended far beyond the rink and typical sporting norms. The game, held in Montreal, began with the booing of the American anthem and several fights.
On Saturday, during the 4 Nations Face-Off between the USA and Canada, tensions reached a peak within the first seconds of play. Just nine seconds after the game started, there were three fights.
Right at the beginning, Matthew Tkachuk from the USA and Brandon Hagel from Canada quickly dropped their gloves. Two seconds later, Matthew's brother, Brady Tkachuk, went head-to-head with Sam Bennett, his teammate from the NHL's Florida Panthers.
An intense clash not just on the ice
Following the first attack in Canada's zone, another fight erupted, involving almost all the players. J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko also joined in the scuffle. Although the penalty boxes quickly filled, the situation on the ice eventually settled down.
The tension was also noticeable among the fans. The American anthem was booed, despite the announcer's appeals for respect for 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 matchup in a best-on-best format since 2016, when the World Cup of Hockey was held. The tournament will 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 defeat Sweden.
Canada scored first when Connor McDavid found the net after about 5.5 minutes 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.
