A hockey match between the rivals of the United States and Canada went down to chaos from the moment the washer was abandoned while three fights broke out in the first nine seconds.
“We had to send a message,” said American Matthew Tkachuk, who found Brandon Hagel from Canada out of the opening game. “The message we wanted to send is” it’s our time “.”
The game match of the 4 nations took place in the context of uncomfortable tensions between the North American neighbors and the long-standing allies, with many fans in the closed windows of 21,105 at Bell Center which flows loudly throughout the pre-match interpretation of the American anthem. Everything turned on the ice with Tkahuck asking Hagel to drop the gloves and the winger of the fourth line of Canada engaging in the two -second fight.
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Tkachuk’s younger brother Brady did the same thing and fought with Sam Bennet from Canada the next time the washer was abandoned, three seconds. Fights at the start.
The Americans followed the punches with a 3-1 victory over their greatest rivals.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life – just an incredible hockey game,” said Dylan Larkin, who marked the starting goal in the second period. “The Brothers Tkachuk and Millsy, what a start and credit these guys for responding to the bell. And the crowd, just a good night for our sport and a good night for this rivalry. »»
Playing at a stocky pace and with physics throughout, the United States has shown that it could follow the speed, skills and talents of Canada in the first NHL international tournament with its best players in near a decade.
“What an incredible hockey match,” said US coach Mike Sullivan.
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Apparently, the idea of punches from the start of the match came from a group cat involving the Tkachuk and Miller brothers. Matthew Tkachuk said it had nothing to do with the anthem. If anything, the players estimated that it added to the pleasure of the night.
“It’s simply incredible, the atmosphere, to play on this scene in Canada, it was pretty cool for all of us, I think,” said winger Jake Guentzel, who marked twice, including the empty network that sealed it. “There is a lot of excitement from our team that comes out for warm -ups and see how crowded it was. It was quite special.
Canada coach Jon Cooper described the first minute as “chaos”.
“It was, I suppose, 10 years of no international hockey exhaled in one and a half minute,” said Cooper.
With the 3-1 victory, the United States has confirmed its place in the final of the 4 nations. They will play Sweden in the last Pool match on Monday, while Canada will compete against Finland.