In an explosive opening to Saturday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off showdown between the United States and Canada, three fights broke out within the first nine seconds of play.

Before the puck could settle on the ice, Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped their gloves, setting a fiery tone for the match. Just two seconds later, Brady Tkachuk joined the fray, challenging Sam Bennett to a bout. A mere five seconds after that, J.T. Miller squared off against Colton Parayko, adding to the intensity of the start.

This aggressive beginning marked one of the most eagerly awaited hockey games of the year. The fervor extended beyond the ice, with coaches Jon Cooper and John Tortorella also showing signs of agitation during the penalty-laden opening moments.

Since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the NHL has not participated in any high-stakes international competition, making this matchup particularly noteworthy. The last major rivalry clash between these teams was the gold medal game at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where the United States surrendered a one-goal lead in the closing minute.

Captaining Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sidney Crosby played a pivotal role in that Olympic final by scoring the overtime goal that secured Canada’s victory. Although many members of Team USA were not on the ice during that defining moment, the fierce rivalry clearly remains strong even after 15 years.

Hockey enthusiasts eager for more thrilling competition will be hoping for a rematch between these two storied teams in Thursday’s championship game, provided they both finish atop the Round Robin standings in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

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