The decades-old hockey rivalry between the U.S. and Canada exploded into chaos Saturday night at Montreal’s Bell Center, where three fights broke out in the first nine seconds of play.
But the bad blood started even before the puck dropped. Canadian fans booed the American national anthem – the second time they’ve done so in three days.
It’s becoming a pattern. The same thing happened during Team USA’s 6-1 win over Finland on Thursday.
The hostility on the ice matched the crowd’s energy. As soon as the game started, Matthew Tkachuk squared off against Canada’s Brandon Hagel.
The fighting wasn’t over. On the very next face-off, Matthew’s brother Brady Tkachuk traded punches with Sam Bennett.
After a brief six-second pause for actual hockey, JT Miller and Canada’s Colton Parayko made it three fights in under ten seconds.
The sudden spike in tension has deeper roots. Canadian fans have been booing the U.S. anthem for weeks, apparently fired up by President Trump’s recent comments about imposing tariffs on Canada and his suggestion that Canada should become America’s 51st state.
But not everyone’s happy about mixing politics with hockey.
"I don’t respect that at all," said Canadian star Brad Marchand. "The anthems are there as a sign of respect because of our veterans and all that they’ve sacrificed. That’s the reason we even get to play this game and have freedom."
Marchand added: "We’re playing hockey. We don’t have any decision in what’s going on with politics."
Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk was more blunt after scoring twice against Finland: "I didn’t like it, and that’s all I got."
The anthem controversy has added extra heat to what was already one of sports’ most intense rivalries.
