Three Fights in Nine Seconds: NHL All-Stars Reignite Historic Grudge Match
The iconic USA vs Canada hockey rivalry erupted in chaos and adrenaline Saturday night as NHL All-Stars collided in the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off* tournament. In a game that felt more like a heavyweight boxing match, three separate fights broke out within the first nine seconds—setting the tone for a night where pride, punches, and pure passion took center stage.
Gloves Off” From the Start
The fireworks began just two seconds after puck drop when Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk and Canada’s Brandon Hagel dropped their gloves in a blistering showdown. The Tkachuk family drama escalated instantly, as brother Brady Tkachuk tangled with Canada’s Sam Bennett one second later. By the nine-second mark, a third brawl erupted near Canada’s net, with JT Miller and Colton Parayko adding to the mayhem.
MATTHEW TKACHUK AND BRANDON HAGEL WASTE NO TIME 😱👊 pic.twitter.com/x36VIdtFv1
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 16, 2025
“He asked if I wanted to start the game with a fight—I wasn’t backing down,” Hagel revealed during the intermission, highlighting the premeditated intensity of this international hockey showdown.
A Rivalry Reborn After Olympic Hiatus
This marked the first full-strength clash between the North American giants in over a decade, reigniting a passionate hockey rivalry stifled by the NHL’s absence from the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. Fans in Montreal roared—and jeered—with palpable emotion, booing the U.S. national anthem and fueling the fire for a game dripping with history.
Stars Shine in High-Stakes Drama
Canada’s Connor McDavid, the NHL’s reigning MVP, electrified the crowd early with a jaw-dropping solo goal at 5:03. But Team USA answered swiftly, with Jake Guentzel capitalizing on a slick pass from Jack Eichel. Dylan Larkin’s second-period goal gave the Americans a 2-1 edge, and Guentzel sealed the 3-1 victory with a clutch empty-netter in the final minute.
What This Win Means for the 4 Nations Face-Off
The victory guarantees Team USA a spot in the tournament final, a redemption arc for a squad hungry to prove itself against Canada’s star-powered roster. Meanwhile, the *4 Nations Face-Off*—a replacement for the traditional NHL All-Star Game—has already delivered on its promise: high-octane hockey, bitter rivalries, and moments that will dominate sports headlines for weeks.
Why This Game Mattered Beyond the Ice
For fans, this was more than a game—it was a revival of a cultural clash. The return of NHL All-Stars to international play, combined with the bad blood simmering since the Olympics, created a perfect storm. Social media buzzed with highlights of the brawls, McDavid’s brilliance, and the Tkachuk brothers’ antics, proving that the *USA vs Canada hockey rivalry* remains one of sports’ greatest spectacles.
What’s Next?
Team USA now eyes the 4 Nations Face-Off final, while Canada must regroup ahead of their next round-robin games against Sweden and Finland. One thing’s certain: when these two hockey titans meet again, the world will be watching—and expecting more fireworks.
