The United States secured a place in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off by defeating Canada 3-1 on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. The highly anticipated clash, which featured three fights within the first nine seconds and relentless physicality throughout, showcased the fierce rivalry between the two hockey powerhouses.
From the opening faceoff, tensions boiled over as the game erupted with three fights in just nine seconds, setting a new record for the fastest fight to start an international game. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, known for their fiery style of play, were the catalysts, coordinating with teammate J.T. Miller to put Canada on its heels early.
Matthew Tkachuk dropped the gloves with Brandon Hagel immediately after the puck drop, reigniting their NHL rivalry. One second later, Brady Tkachuk fought Sam Bennett, his brother’s teammate with the Florida Panthers, with Matthew cheering from the penalty box. Miller completed the trifecta by brawling with Colton Parayko just six seconds later.
The previous record for the fastest fight in an NHL international game was 20 seconds, set in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Notably, that brawl also involved the Tkachuk family, with Matthew and Brady’s father, Keith Tkachuk, trading punches with Canada’s Keith Primeau. Bill Guerin, who participated in that 1996 fight, is now the U.S. general manager for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Despite the early fights, the game was played at a blistering pace with punishing hits. U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy made his presence felt with bone-crushing checks on Canadian superstars Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stood tall, making 25 vital saves to secure the victory.
Connor McDavid showcased his world-class speed and skill, giving Canada an early 1-0 lead with a spectacular backhand goal over Hellebuyck. The U.S. responded midway through the first period when Jake Guentzel slipped the puck through Canadian goalie Jordan Binnington’s five-hole, tying the game at 1-1.
The turning point came in the second period when Sidney Crosby’s rare turnover and a poorly timed line change allowed Dylan Larkin to capitalize on a 2-on-1 rush, beating Binnington to give Team USA a 2-1 lead. Larkin’s goal ultimately stood as the game-winner, showcasing the U.S.A.’s ability to capitalize on Canada’s mistakes.
Despite missing star defenseman Cale Makar due to illness, Canada pressed hard to equalize. However, Hellebuyck was a wall in net, making crucial saves to protect the U.S. lead. Guentzel sealed the win with an empty-net goal with just 1:19 remaining.
With the victory, the United States secured a berth in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game. They face Sweden on Monday in Boston, but with their ticket to the finale already punched, the focus will be on staying healthy. Head coach Mike Sullivan may opt to rest Hellebuyck, who has been stellar throughout the tournament, giving backups Jake Oettinger or Jeremy Swayman a chance in net.
For Canada, the loss puts them in a must-win situation against Finland on Monday at TD Garden in Boston. Led by McDavid, Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon, the Canadians will need to bounce back quickly to keep their championship hopes alive.
This installment of the U.S.-Canada rivalry did not disappoint, delivering everything fans expect from these two hockey giants: speed, skill, physicality, and drama. The Tkachuk brothers antics, Larkin’s heroics, and Hellebuyck’s goaltending masterclass ensured that this chapter of the 4 Nations Face-Off will be remembered for years to come.
With a spot in the final secured, Team USA will look to complete their quest for international glory later this week, while Canada fights to keep their dreams alive in a high-stakes showdown against Finland.
