The atmosphere in Bell Centre was electric even before the arch-rivals and tournament favorites clashed.
After American President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs and annexation, parts of the Canadian audience booed during the American national anthem – despite the match speaker's appeals not to do so.
The emotions then took over directly and the intense American brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk were highly involved and created chaos.
Threw Gloves
Directly after the face-off, Matthew Tkachuk and Canada's Brandon Hagel threw their gloves and started fighting.
After the next face-off, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett did the same.
Then it was USA's JT Miller and Canada's Colton Parayko's turn.
Three fights in the first nine seconds – the hockey world was stunned.
It just happened. When we saw the starting lineup, we realized it could happen. It's adrenaline. Now the rest is about the game, said Brady Tkachuk to ABC during the first period break.
Canada took the lead in the first period through superstar Connor McDavid, but Jake Guentzel equalized.
Tough Swedish Situation
Dylan Larkin shot 2–1 to USA in the middle period after a quick counterattack, and then Guentzel set 3–1 in an empty net at the end.
The USA win means that Sweden cannot secure a final spot on their own merit and are dependent on the result between Finland and Canada on Monday.
There, a draw in regular time is required, and then Tre Kronor must win in regular time against USA for a Swedish final spot.
After two rounds, USA has 6 points and Canada, Finland, and Sweden all have 2 points.
If two teams end up with the same points, head-to-head meetings will decide, and there Sweden has lost both against Canada and Finland.
