US-Canada Hockey Game Starts With 3 Fights In First 9 Seconds

The USA vs. Canada hockey game at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament got off to a wild start, with three fights breaking out in the first nine seconds. The intensity was immediate, with Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropping the gloves right after the opening faceoff. Seconds later, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett squared off, and before a full minute had passed, J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko also went at it.

The crowd at Montreal’s Bell Centre erupted as tensions boiled over early. While some speculated the fights had political undertones, Matthew Tkachuk dismissed that idea, saying the U.S. team simply wanted to “send a message.” He and his brother Brady had even planned the aggressive start in a group chat with Miller earlier that day.

Canada’s players admitted they weren’t expecting such an intense start, though they quickly adjusted to the physicality. The game remained hard-hitting, with over 60 total hits recorded by the end. Key moments included Charlie McAvoy leveling Connor McDavid and Brady Tkachuk taking down Drew Doughty.

Despite the chaotic start, Team USA controlled the game and secured a 3-1 victory. The heated rivalry between these two teams remains as fierce as ever, and this matchup will likely be remembered as the “Three Fights in Nine Seconds” game.

Media Credit: X | ESPN