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An emotionally charged showdown between the star-studded lineups of the North American rivals — which comes against a backdrop of political tension between the two neighboring countries — erupted into violence from the opening puck drop at Montreal’s Bell Centre, according to VOA.<\/p>\n
The US squad clinched a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off final Thursday at Boston with a 3-1 victory, but the result was almost a footnote to the mayhem that marked the start of a game played before a fiercely partisan Canadian crowd.<\/p>\n
With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the crowd, home fans booed The Star-Spangled Banner before the game, catcalls that have become a regular feature at NHL and NBA games in Canada since US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods crossing US borders.<\/p>\n
Then came three fights in nine seconds.<\/p>\n
“I just think it’s very indicative of what this means to the players,” US coach Mike Sullivan said. “There’s two teams out there that are very competitive, that have a ton of pride for their respective teams and their countries.<\/p>\n
“For me, when you have an investment in trying to win like the way that it occurred — I think that’s an indication of it. What an incredible hockey game.”<\/p>\n
Canada coach Jon Cooper, the two-time Stanley Cup champion coach for Tampa Bay who will guide the Canadian 2026 Olympic team, said the melee in the first moments was not prearranged.<\/p>\n
MA\/PR<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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