Team USA Hockey Makes History with 3 Fights in the First 9 Seconds of Game Against Canada's National Team

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Tkachuk (left) and Brandon Hagel on Feb. 15, 2025 in Montreal.Photo:Minas Panagiotakis/Getty

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty

The U.S. and Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game may have ended in victory for America, but led off with a handful of tense physical altercations between members of the opposing teams.

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the match between the two nations started with three fights in the first nine seconds — with two of the instigators being Team USA players Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

“We needed to send a message,” said Matthew, 27, after his team beat Canada, 3-1, securing the Americans a spot in the championship game, according toThe Washington Post. “We’re here in Montreal on a Saturday night. We want it to be our time, and that message started right from the get-go.”

Matthew — who plays for the Florida Panthers — and other Team USA members anticipated a hostile response from Canadian fans when the U.S. national anthem was played.

“We knew it was going to happen,” Zach Werenski, a defenseman for the U.S. team, told reporters Saturday night, according to thePost. “It happened the last game, it’s been happening in the NHL before this, and we knew tonight was going to be the same way. We obviously don’t like it.”

Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk of Team USA.Andre RInguette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty

Andre RInguette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty

In response to the boos from Canadians, Matthew threw off his gloves and started the fastest fight ever in an NHL international game, according toESPN. He and his opponent, Canada’s Sam Bennett, were quickly sent to the penalty box.

Speaking to reporters after his team’s win, Brady, 25, revealed the fights had been preplanned.

“Yeah, there was a group chat going on today,” said Brady, according to theWashingtonPost.

“We just reaffirmed we were going to do that. I think Matthew’s fight to start it off was just such an energy boost. I think I was more excited, more nervous for my own,” Brady added, according to the outlet. “And then for Millsy to cap it off against a big guy like that, he did a great job. It was a pretty awesome experience.”

Before the incident, Matthew’s father, Keith Tkachuk, held the record for the fastest in-game fight. He earned that title when he took on Team USA general manager Bill Guerin during the first 20 seconds of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, according to ESPN.

Once the three rounds of fighting ended, a competitive game commenced. The U.S. won the match in regulation, with Matthew sitting out the final minutes of the last period because of an injury, according to ESPN. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan shared after the fact that he believes the match will forever leave an impact on U.S. hockey.

“I thought it was an unbelievable celebration of hockey," Sullivan told the outlet. “It’s great for the sport itself. I think it could inspire another generation of young players to want to play the game, like some of the events that impacted my generation, like the Miracle on Ice team in 1980. There’s so many events like that that inspire the next generation of players.”

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Canadian coach Jon Cooper agreed with Sullivan’s sentiment, saying, “The game is in a better place because last night’s game existed,” according to ESPN.

With the win over Canada secured, Team USA faces off against Sweden on Monday, Feb. 17, while Canada is set to compete against Finland. The Boston final will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20.

source: people.com