Historic Fights Ignite U.S.-Canada Rivalry at 4 Nations Face-Off

TARRYTOWN, New York — In a thrilling start to Saturday’s U.S.-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off game, three fights erupted in the opening nine seconds, sparking excitement and adrenaline among players and fans alike.

“That was the coolest thing,” said Matt Rempe, a forward for Team Canada, reflecting on the intense brawl. Rempe, who hails from Calgary, experienced the action from the home of veteran teammate Jonathan Quick, where he watched alongside Quick’s 14-year-old daughter, Madison. Though Quick was absent, the electric atmosphere kept Rempe jumping in excitement.

The match kicked off with Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk squaring off against Brandon Hagel at the first faceoff. The action continued as Tkachuk’s brother, Brady, engaged in a fight with Sam Bennett. J.T. Miller of the Rangers capped the early skirmishes by challenging Canada’s Colton Parayko, setting a combative tone for the game.

While Madison cheered for the U.S., Rempe’s loyalty remained with Canada, though he couldn’t help but admire the spectacle. Regarding Miller’s fierce fight, Rempe exclaimed, “I wanted to drill my head against a wall. It was awesome.”

The rivalry will intensify as the two teams prepare for the gold medal game on Thursday in Boston. The New York Rangers have four players on the U.S. roster: Miller, Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox. This presents a unique situation for Canadian players like Rempe, who must navigate their national pride while supporting their teammates.

“I’m watching all the fellas, hope they do good,” Rempe stated. “But I want Canada to win. I want Canada to win big time. One hundred percent.”

Another Ranger, Reilly Smith, expressed neutrality, stating, “I don’t have a rooting interest at all, to be honest. I think it’s great that those guys are doing this. It does help the game of hockey and obviously they’re losing their break because of it.”

Sam Carrick, a player from outside Toronto, highlighted his mixed feelings, saying he supports individual players rather than a specific country. “Being in Canada, I know how much it meant to Canadians. It was huge; it just makes this next game even bigger,” Carrick explained. His connection to both teams is further complicated by his daughters’ American nationality, which makes the upcoming championship game a win-win in his eyes.

Carrick noted that the tournament exceeded his expectations in intensity and excitement. He praised Miller for his readiness to fight, noting, “That’s why we brought him here, I believe. We love that stuff, and that’s a guy you want on your team.”

Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider shared similar sentiments, admitting that the early fights took him by surprise. “You could feel the build-up before, but that was the last thing I was expecting, and it was awesome,” Schneider said. While he expressed loyalty to Canada, he also wished for a scenario where all his teammates excel, stating, “My ideal outcome for Thursday: All of my Rangers teammates get on the scoresheet, but Canada comes away with the gold medal.”

Photo of J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko’s fight: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images

Peter is a staff writer for The Athletic NHL based in New York. He has previously been published in the Columbia Missourian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kansas City Star, Politico, and the Washington Post. A St. Louis native, Peter graduated from the University of Missouri and has covered the Missouri Tigers and the Colorado Avalanche for The Athletic.