THREE IN NINE: How last night’s USA VS Canada opening will find it's way to history

The heated, longtime rivalry between the U.S. and Canada didn't miss a beat last night

(C/ Getty/Minas Panagiotakis)

By Anthony Pellegrino @Pellegrinoap50 IceInsider.com Predators All Access Reporter

Two seconds was all it took for Matthew Tkachuk to square off with Canada's Brandon Hagel, setting off a spark that led to an uproar through the Bell Center tonight.

Although for the night, Bell Center wasn't just a hockey arena.

It turned into the world stage, where the United States faced off against Canada in the most iconic matchup in hockey.

"We want to show it is our time; we wanted to send a message," Matthew Tkachuk said postgame.

Seconds after the fight, Matthew's brother, Brady Tkachuk, would fight Sam Bennett, throwing him down back-first onto the ice.

It wasn't over just yet. As the first shot of the game reached Jordan Binnington, a three-party scrum emerged in front of the net. Eventually leading into a 6'6 Colton Parayko fighting JT Miller.

Three fights, nine seconds.

It's the first time players in the NHL would get a chance to represent their country since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Yet back then, almost a decade ago,"anthem booing" wasn't a part of the conversation.

Canada booed the Star-Spangled Banner tonight. So the Red White and Blue taught them a cornerstone of USA's history, that's been around over 300 years: America Prevails.

(C/ Getty Images)

The US prevailed over Canada with a 3-1 victory.

A victory not only for the US, but for the sport. Heading into the Four Nations Faceoff, concerns were certainly evident over the tournament. How would players treat the tournament, like an All-Star Game?

Quite the opposite. For Matthew Tkatchuk, it's now one of two highlight(s), of his career. "Other than Game 7 last year this has been the highlight of my hockey career," he said.

History. It's how the first nine seconds will be remembered.

"Do you remember the first nine seconds...? One day around the dinner table, it’s how the game will entice a conversation about the game. Three star-studded fights in a nine-second opening.

The only sport where the arena temporarily shifts into a fighting ring. Where the refs let them until one gives out. After all, that's hockey. That's the rivalry. That's the history.

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