This isn’t the first time Tkachuk brothers have thrown punches at the NHL 4 Nations. Before the game even started, Matthew sought a fight with Canada’s Hagel just seconds after the initial face-off, with no action on the ice yet. The crowd erupted in excitement watching the confrontation.
Two fights within seconds of each other was something no one expected, but three fights in a game where the Tkachuk brothers were involved in two of them was astonishing and left everyone speechless. Brady had the second fight of the night against Bennett, who clearly lost by falling to the ice.
Brady Tkachuk supported his brother in the first fight. It was clearly visible on TV that he was cheering for his brother, who had started the first fight just two seconds after the game began, with Matthew dropping the gloves to fight Hagel.
The Tkachuk brothers spent less than 13 minutes on the ice, helping Team USA keep Canada at bay, as they continuously sought scoring opportunities. Brady consistently delivered strong hits to the Canadians and appeared very dominant, but his brother couldn’t finish the third period due to a lower-body injury.
Tkachuk’s Father Did the Same in 1996
It’s worth noting that the Tkachuk brothers’ father, Keith Tkachuk, also had a fight in a United States vs. Canada game back in 1996. On that occasion, he fought against Claude Lemieux, and the fight took place just a few seconds after the game started, about 20 seconds in.
The Rules for Fights Remain the Same
There are no differences in the rules for fights in the 4 Nations tournament. If players drop the gloves, they go to the penalty booth if necessary, just like in regular NHL games. This is the first time the tournament is being held, temporarily replacing the All-Star game.