Just two seconds into the round-robin game between the United States and Canada, gloves were dropped and fists were flying. The crowd roared with excitement as Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel threw punches at center ice. After the fight was split up, and the puck was dropped in a second attempt to start the game, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett dropped their sticks and gloves and threw down at center ice. After they were sent off to the penalty boxes, just a few seconds later, J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko threw down in front of the Team Canada net.
The Tkachuk brothers are known for being menaces on the ice. Stanley Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk is racking up penalty minutes, earning 690 career penalty minutes in nine seasons. Ottawa Senators left wing and captain Brady Tkachuk racked up 732 penalty minutes in just seven seasons.
The two brothers haven’t played together until this tournament, representing the Stars and Stripes, carrying on the family legacy for Team USA.
Over the course of the Four Nations tournament, the Tkachuk brothers made a splash, becoming the new bash brothers
In the first game of the Four Nations tournament, the United States dominated Finland in a 6-1 win, putting them at the lead of the tournament. Combined, the brothers had seven points, with two goals each, and Matthew having an assist. They became the first siblings to each score multiple goals in the same international tournament game.
“I think it was better than all those dreams that you have,” said Brady Tkachuk post-game. “It’s amazing. Honestly, I don’t really have words to describe it right now, but I think by saying that there’s no complacency. We just want to keep making more memories.”
Game two of the tournament is where the two took the name “Bash Brothers” seriously. Within the first nine seconds of the game, the two were a part of three fights, alongside teammate J.T. Miller. Not only did the hockey world lose their minds, but the two nations did as well.
“Our team does not care about anything that they say,” Matthew said to Sportsnet Canada, “and there’s been a lot of chatter and talk from individuals. But we care about one thing in this room, and we have millions of people that are watching us and supporting us around this country, and we’re very prideful in playing for them and the guys in the room. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for us.”
Game three only saw Brady Tkachuk, who was then later taken out of the game after sliding into the goal post. Team USA lost to Sweden, 2-1. Matthew Tkachuk also sat out due to an injury.
The championship game brought chaos and heartbreak, with the US falling 3-2 in overtime. Brady Tkachuk was the first to get the United States on the board, after trailing 1-0 from a goal by Nathan MacKinnon.
Matthew sat out during the third period and overtime due to injury.
Despite falling short, the brothers made their statement clear during this tournament: they’re proud to wear the colors of the United States and represent their nation. The brothers are projected to play in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, looking for revenge against McDavid, Crosby, and the Canadians.
Edited by Megan Wines