There hadn’t been a fight in an international hockey tournament since the NHL hosted the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, but then there hasn’t been an international hockey tournament at a time of such strained relations between the United States and Canada.

The fights in the first nine seconds of the Canada-U.S. 4 Nations Face-Off game were meant to 'send a message,' says Matthew Tkachuk.{ai:summary}<p>The absence of fights in international hockey tournaments since the 2004 World Cup of Hockey has changed, coinciding with heightened tensions between the United States and Canada. This backdrop has reignited the physicality often seen in hockey. </p><p>#sports</p>

Canada-U.S. 4 Nations first-period fights were planned to 'send a message': Matthew Tkachuk

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