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

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Three fights broke out in the first nine seconds of a 4 Nations Face-Off game between the U.S. and Canada.

At the opening puck drop, Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S. and Canada's Brandon Hagel didn't wait to drop the gloves.

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

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

That wasn't all. After an opening rush into the Canadian zone, a scrap involving just about everyone broke out, and J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko got into a fight of their own.

The penalty boxes filled up, but cooler heads eventually prevailed.

The game was being played in Montreal, so the tensions in the crowd were already high. The "Star-Spangled Banner" was booed loudly despite pleas from the public-address announcer to "respect" both nation's anthems.

Brandon Hagel of Team Canada reacts after his fight with Matthew Tkachuk of Team United States (not in photo) during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off game at Bell Centre Feb. 15, 2025, in Montreal.  (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.

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.

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