The recent USA-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off clash reignited a historic rivalry with an explosive start, featuring three fights in the opening nine seconds. This marked the first best-on-best matchup between the two nations in nearly a decade and instantly captivated a massive audience, becoming the most-watched NHL event outside of a Stanley Cup Final since 2019.

The initial flurry of fisticuffs involved Matthew Tkachuk against Brandon Hagel, followed by Brady Tkachuk squaring off against Sam Bennett, and finally, J.T. Miller jumping into the fray. While the rest of the game remained fight-free, these early altercations set a physical tone that ultimately led to a 3-1 American victory.

The image captures the intensity of the moment, with Brady Tkachuk (USA) battling Sam Bennett (Canada) during the first-period melee in Montreal.

The pre-planned nature of the fights drew criticism from some, like Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, who labeled them as "fake" and "WWE-like." However, players involved, including Hagel and Brady Tkachuk, refuted these claims, asserting that the fights were spontaneous reactions driven by passion for their respective countries.

This image shows Brandon Hagel (Canada) and Matthew Tkachuk (USA) locked in their opening seconds bout.

Adding another layer to the charged atmosphere were the boos directed at the American national anthem by Canadian fans, potentially fueled by lingering resentment over past political tensions between the two countries, including trade disputes and President Trump's provocative remarks about Canada becoming the "51st state."

Another view of the fight between Sam Bennett (Canada) and Brady Tkachuk (USA) highlights the physicality of the game.

This renewed rivalry culminated in a rematch in Boston for the 4 Nations championship, promising another intense chapter in this storied hockey rivalry.