With the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the stands, local supporters have hooked and whistled the national anthem of the United States, a phenomenon that has become usual in the NHL and NBA matches in Canada since President Donald Trump threatened to impose customs duties on imported Canadian property.
Then three fights broke out in nine seconds. The gloves came across the ice when the Canadian Brandon Hagel and the American Matthew Tkachuk began to exchange punches under the cheers of the crowd, while their teammates retreated to give them room in the center of the rink.
The referees restored order, sent the combatants to the penalty bench and tried to relaunch the match. But the Canadian Sam Bennett and the American Brady Tkachuk in the United States in turn threw gloves and exchanged blows until the officials can separate them, Tkachuk joining his brother on the punishment.
The match resumed but had not exceeded nine seconds when the American JT Miller and the Canadian Canada Canada started the third and last pugilat of the evening.
“It was probably, I suppose, 10 years of international hockey exhaled in one and a half minute,” said Canada coach Jon Cooper, Double Champion of the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay and future coach of the Olympic team Canadian of 2026.
On the game side, the American victory was acquired thanks to a double of Tampa Bay Jake Guentzel striker (the second goal in the empty cage), despite the opening of the Star of Canada Connor McDavid.
Players with maple leaf can still find their United States neighbors in the final in the event of success Monday against Finland. The Americans will play their third game in this preliminary round against Sweden.
