Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

US, Canada's brutal clash 'great event for hockey'

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Sunday, 16 February 2025 17:15

BOSTON -- Canada coach Jon Cooper hated the result but had to admit that Team USA's thrilling, brutal 3-1 win in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday night was a transcendent moment for hockey.

"The game is in a better place because last night's game existed," he said Sunday.

At its peak, 5.4 million American viewers watched the first "best on best" tournament game between the nations since 2016. Many tuned in to see generations of elite NHL players facing each other for the first time while repping their nations. But the game attracted even more attention after Montreal fans booed the U.S. national anthem -- protesting President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports and his proposal that Canada become the 51st U.S. state -- before the action started with three fights in record succession.

"I knew it was going to be an electric start, but I maybe didn't expect three fights in the first nine seconds," Sweden's Jesper Bratt said. "The arena was already pretty loud, and the fans were already really emotionally engaged. I guess that kind of took it to the next level."

Team USA players Matthew and Brady Tkachuk and J.T. Miller each had a fight to open the game, which the U.S. won in regulation to clinch a spot in the 4 Nations championship final Thursday night in Boston. Matthew Tkachuk's fight off the opening face-off was the fastest ever in an NHL international game, topping the previous record of 20 seconds in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey for a fight that involved Matthew's father, Keith Tkachuk, and Team USA general manager Bill Guerin.

Matthew Tkachuk sat out the final 12:36 of the third period with a lower-body injury. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said Tkachuk "is continuing to be evaluated," and he wouldn't reveal the Florida Panthers star's status for Monday's game against Sweden.

Canada forward Travis Konecny said the trio of fights set the game apart Saturday night.

"We're one of the only sports that still has fighting in it. It's a war out there," said Konecny, who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. "It's funny: You put the flag behind the meaning of something and guys' switches just kind of flip."

Cooper acknowledged that there are some "naysayers" when it comes to fighting in hockey.

"You can say whatever you want about fighting, but that was what ignited the game. Then both teams flexed, and nobody backed down. Then a hockey game broke out and it was a fantastic," Cooper said. "When you get the best players in the world, not only trying to score but actually checking, this is what you get. You're holding your breath every time there's a potential scoring chance, because you don't know if it's going to be the last one."

The game attracted attention for those outside the hockey world, something the players noticed.

"After the game you see things. I saw a lot talking about other leagues and what they do on their All-Star breaks, and then you see the Tkachuks going crazy," Team USA forward Jack Hughes said. "It's been a great event for hockey and, honestly, definitely surpassed my expectations. And I'm sure for a lot of the fans too."

U.S. center Vincent Trocheck, who plays for the New York Rangers, noted that 4 Nations was replacing the NHL's All-Star Game this season.

"Something like this, when you see the intensity and the emotion and how much guys actually care and want to win and represent their countries, you can't really compete with that," he said. "It's not comparable to an all-star game or a Pro Bowl or something like that. This is something that's like playoff hockey. This is like Game 7 every night."

The other teams in the tournament were in awe of the USA-Canada showdown as well. Sweden coach Sam Hallam praised the emotions that were driven by the nations' hockey rivalry, which spans from world juniors to 4 Nations. Finland forward Erik Haula said it was just "a great hockey game between great players."

"It's great for the game and just shows the passion the guys have playing for their country and what it means for everyone," he said.

What the game could mean for U.S. hockey -- and what a rematch with Canada in the championship could elevate even more -- is something Sullivan has been considering in its aftermath.

"I thought it was an unbelievable celebration of hockey," Sullivan said. "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."

Canada takes on Finland on Monday at 1 p.m. ET at TD Garden, facing elimination if the Finns win. The U.S. takes on Sweden at 8 p.m.

Read 61 times

Soccer

The Champions League race so intense it's sure to last to the Premier League's final day

The Champions League race so intense it's sure to last to the Premier League's final day

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Five teams, each with five games to play, and three Champ...

Antony goal helps keep Betis' UCL 'dreams' alive

Antony goal helps keep Betis' UCL 'dreams' alive

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReal Betis scored three goals in a first-half blitz to beat Girona...

Wrexham edge closer to promotion with key win

Wrexham edge closer to promotion with key win

James McLean scored Wrexham's opener against Blackpool.Wrexham climbed back into the automatic promo...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Thibs: Brunson not getting calls like Cunningham

Thibs: Brunson not getting calls like Cunningham

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The New York Knicks left the court for halftime down by...

Redick calls Lakers' practice best 'in months'

Redick calls Lakers' practice best 'in months'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said Monda...

Baseball

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor is off to a smashing start, for a chan...

Cubs add relief option, acquire Pomeranz from M's

Cubs add relief option, acquire Pomeranz from M's

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs acquired Drew Pomeranz from the Seattle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated