USA, Canada hockey stars get into numerous fights in opening seconds of 4 Nations rivalry after anthem boos

Three fights commenced in the first nine seconds of the 4 Nations Face Off game between USA and Canada.

At the opening puck drop, USA's Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel didn't wait at all to get in on the action in what was a healthy scrap.

But just two seconds later, Matthew's brother, Brady, went toe-to-toe with Sam Bennett, who is teammates with Matthew in the NHL on the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

United States' Brady Tkachuk (top) fights Canada's Sam Bennett (9) during first period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.  (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

However, that was not enough. After an opening rush into the Canada zone, a scrap involving just about everyone occurred, but J.T. Miller and Colton Parako got into a fight of their own.

It caused plenty of crowding in the penalty boxes, but cooler heads eventually prevailed.

The game is being played in Montreal, so the tensions in the crowd were already high - the "Star-Spangled Banner" was booed loudly despite previous pleas not to do so and "respect" the anthems.

Brandon Hagel #38 of Team Canada reacts after his fight with Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team United States (not in  photo) during the first period of the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Canada at Bell Centre on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.  (Andrea Cardin/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Even NHL exec Bill Daly called it an "unfortunate situation" and hoped it would end - alas.

This is the first time since 2016 that the U.S. and Canada are on the ice in a best-on-best format since 2016 in the World Cup of Hockey, which will return in 2028 after a 12-year hiatus.

Both teams won their first games of the tournament, but the United States is ahead in the standings due to their win coming in regulation; Canada needed overtime to defeat Sweden on Thursday.

TEAM USA STAR MATTHEW TKACHUK DELIVERS STERN ONE-LINER AFTER CANADIAN FANS BOO DURING AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

Canada got on the board first, with who else but Connor McDavid lighting the lamp roughly five-and-a-half minutes into the game. Jake Guenztel tied it up a few minutes later.

Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada celebrates after scoring during the first period of the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Canada at Bell Centre on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.  (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

With a win, the Americans will clinch their spot into the one-game final on Saturday in Boston, which could very well come against this same Canada team.

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