The hockey rivalry between the United States and Canada reached a boiling point during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. A series of pre-meditated fights between players, combined with the booing of the American national anthem by Canadian fans, fueled the flames of this long-standing competition.

The incident began with three fights erupting in a mere nine seconds during a game between the two teams. Brady Tkachuk later disclosed that he, his brother Matthew, and teammate JT Miller had coordinated the fights in advance via a group chat. This revelation drew criticism from Canadian player Brandon Hagel, who stated he fought "for the flag" and not for attention. He also implied that the Canadian team didn't engage in such pre-planned altercations.

Matthew Tkachuk responded to Hagel's comments, suggesting that the lack of group chats on the Canadian team might indicate a lack of camaraderie. This exchange further intensified the rivalry leading up to the championship game.

The fights followed the Canadian crowd's booing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." This act, potentially stemming from lingering political tensions, appeared to further motivate the American players. While the specific political issues, such as past trade disputes and President Trump's remarks about Canada, have subsided, the animosity they generated seems to persist in the sporting arena.

Despite Canada initially taking the lead, Team USA secured a 3-1 victory in the game marked by the fights. Their strong defensive performance prevented Canada from scoring again. The upcoming final game promises to be a heated contest, given the recent events.