Three fights broke out in the first nine seconds of the four-country showdown game between the US and Canada Saturday.
In the opening pack drop, US Matthew Tokachuk and Canada's Brandon Hagel did not wait to drop their gloves.
Just two seconds later, Matthew's brother, Brady, went to the toes with Matthew and NHL teammate Sam Bennett alongside Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
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US Brady Tokachuk (top) will face Canada's Sam Bennett (9) in the first period of four countries in Montreal on Saturday, February 15th, 2025. (Canadian media via Christinne Muschi/AP)
That wasn't all. After the opening rush into the Canada Zone, a scrap breaks out in which almost everyone is involved, and JT Miller and Colton Pareco get caught up in their own fight.
The penalty box was full, but in the end the cooler head won.
The crowd tension was already high as the game was being played in Montreal. “Star Spangold Banner” was booed loudly despite pleas from public address announcers, despite lamenting that it would “respect” the national anthems of both countries.
Team Canada's Brandon Hagel after his battle with the United States of America (not the photo) during the first period of the 4 Nations face-off game at Bell Center in Montreal on February 15, 2025 It will respond. (Hockey World Cup via Andrea Cardin/4NFO/Getty Images)
Even NHL executive Bill Daly called it an “unfortunate situation” and hoped it would end.
This is the first time the US and Canada have been on the ice in the best-on-best format at the World Cup of Hockey since 2016.
Both teams won the first match of the tournament, but the US is moving up the rankings for a victory caught in regulation. Canada needed overtime to beat Sweden on Thursday.
Team USA star Matthew Tokachuk delivers Stern One Liner after Canadian fans booed during the American national anthem
Canada first got on the board and Conor McDavid lit the ramp about five and a half minutes after the game. Jake Guanzel tied it up a few minutes later.
Team Canada's Conor McDavid celebrates after scoring during the first period of the 4 Nations face-off game against the US at Bell Center in Montreal on February 15, 2025. (Hockey World Cup via Andre Ringuette/4NFO/Getty Images)
The US ultimately beat Canada 3-1, closing the spot in the tournament's championship game. The victory allowed the Americans to win a spot in the one-game final in Boston on Thursday, allowing them to play Canada again.
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