U.S.-Canada hockey match descended into chaos with 3 fights in first 9 seconds, booing of American anthem

A hockey match between rivals the United States and Canada descended into chaos from the moment the puck was dropped as three fights broke out in the first nine seconds.

"We needed to send a message," said American Matthew Tkachuk, who found Canada's Brandon Hagel off the opening faceoff. "The message we wanted to send is 'It's our time.'"

The 4 Nations Face-off game unfolded against the backdrop of uneasy tensions between the North American neighbors and longtime allies, with many fans in the sellout crowd of 21,105 at Bell Centre loudly booing throughout the pregame rendition of the U.S. anthem. It all spilled onto the ice with Tkahuck asking Hagel to drop the gloves and the fourth-line Canada winger engaging in the fight two seconds in.