4 Nations Face-Off: Three fights break out in opening seconds of USA-Canada hockey game

For the first time in nine years, the United States and Canada are facing each other in best-on-best action. The 4 Nations Face-Off has been a success early on and less than 10 seconds into Saturday’s matchup, the excitement level has reached a new level.

Three fights have taken place, two of which seem premeditated. Both of the Tkachuk brothers, Brady and Matthew, are in the penalty box after dropping the gloves as the puck hit the ice. Play was restarted for a few moments as the United States got into the offensive zone. When Jordan Binnington froze the puck, JT Miller was the one who got into a fight.

Montreal is the host site and the pro-Canadian crowd is quite fired up. Especially since their team was put on the power play due to the last fight. After a hectic start, they will have a man advantage for two minutes in an attempt to go out in front 1-0.

You can check out the full scene from the Bell Center here.

Fists are FLYING early as three fights break out in the first nine seconds of USA vs. Canada in the #4Nations 🤯https://t.co/1wdK07Ydrhpic.twitter.com/URukbCPNni

— 5 GOATs (@5GOATs_) February 16, 2025

An entertaining 60 minutes of hockey (and maybe more) appears to be heading our way. The tone has certainly been set for two of the sport’s most bitter rivalries. While the United States and Canada have played in recent years, it’s not been best-on-best since 2016.

Coming into the tournament, many wondered if players would put their full emotions into the games. Game No. 1 against Sweden and Finland likely answered that they would. But these fights have seemingly taken things to a new level.

United States, Canada playing in Four Nations Face-Off

There is a lot more on the line than bragging rights. Every team’s goal is to eventually win this tournament, with the championship game set for Thursday. However, just one of the two currently playing can clinch a spot.

If the United States earns a regulation win, they will play in the final. An overtime win would not make it mathematically confirmed but severely help the case. The point system is a little different than normal NHL games as a regulation win gets you three points, an overtime win two, OT loss one, and a loss in regulation zero.

Canada certainly wants to make sure the US has something to play for on Monday. Many are hoping no matter Saturday’s result, a rematch will take place on Thursday. Boston will be the host city then, moving the tournament onto American soil.