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The last time a game felt this important across Canada? The gold medal game of the 2010 Olympics, when Team Canada beat Team USA.
That time it was Canada’s pride as hockey nation on the line. This time it’s Canada’s pride as a nation period.
The game is all over social media tonight, and here is a running count of some of the most interesting comments
ESPN reporter Kristen Shilton @kristen_shilton
truly hard to even capture the energy/excitement in montreal for this CAD-USA game. absolutely immaculate
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Toronto hockey commentator David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriod
Georges St-Pierre, Michelle Kwan, Carey Price and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau among those in attendance for the game tonight. Got a feeling fans here in Montreal are gonna lose it for GSP!
Hockey Canada @HockeyCanada
Cale Makar will not play tonight, but remains eligible for the tournament. Brad Marchand will serve as an alternate captain tonight.
Hall of Fame d-man Chris Pronger @chrispronger
What an incredible opportunity for Thomas Harley and a difficult one at that. Youth will serve him well! Hope Makar being out is just a precaution…Here we go!! These games are where legends are born! Thomas Harley with an opportunity unlike many we have seen before.
Cult of Hockey contributor Ira Cooper @coopsie39
Canada had trouble transitioning the puck without Theodore – now with Makar out it becomes something to watch for sure. Harley is a nice d-man but I’m certain he was not the team’s 1st, 2nd or 3rd call – players are gone south.
Stats analyst Meghan Chayka @MeghanChayka
You put a country on the jersey. All of sudden it’s Game 7 Stanley cup finals vibes.
Former NHLer Scottie Upshall @ScottieUpshall
How boring will it be watching NHL games after this week?

Canadians boo USA national anthem from beginning to end. pic.twitter.com/C8SQaBWWVv
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Chris Pronger @chrispronger
3 seconds 2 fights. And now the nerves are out and back to the regularly scheduled hockey game #4Nations
TSN Hockey @TSNHockey
“I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.”
– Rodney Dangerfield

So much hate.
Never seen anything like this before.
Three fights in first nine seconds, Canada vs USA! pic.twitter.com/FxjQdMjV1Y
US hockey podcaster Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
I’m not kidding I think these guys were legitimately trying to kill one another
Spittin’ Chiclets podcaster Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
I wonder if they players will even care during four nations!?
Boston hockey commentator Joe Haggerty @HackswithHaggs
Hell yes!
Edmonton hockey writer Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic
Count on the Tkachuks to turn this game into a sideshow. This is completely embarrassing.
The Hockey News @TheHockeyNews
Still can’t believe that just happened
Oilers fan K-JAM @KevinJamieson86
I honestly think this start bodes MUCH better for Canada than the US. Canada showing a spine early.

The dead-eye of Doughty.
The majesty of McDavid. pic.twitter.com/lvktWDH1ub
Terry Jones @byterryjones
Not a knockout punch but that defining Connor McDavid gorgeous goal makes this the celebration of hockey it is supposed to be.
US podcaster Pete Blackburn @PeteBlackburn
McAvoy got torched by McDavid and immediately made it his personal mission to kill him before first intermission

Targeting our best player pic.twitter.com/I6K6abP0El
Oilers fan Allyson Wonderland @girlgoroth
I swear to god, I will personally fight every American player going for McDavid rn 😤
Hockey Night in Canada commentator Craig Simpson
This is one Jordan Binnington has got to have… Binnington didn’t get set, get into the butterfly quickly enough.
St. Louis hockey writer Andy Strickland @andystrickland
Give me seven games of this
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun
Team Canada went the nuclear option, MacKinnon-McDavid-Crosby, for the last 23 seconds with an offensive zone faceoff. Curious to see how often Cooper will want to sneak that out there (ie 66-99 in ’87 Canada Cup)
Vancouver hockey writer Jason Brough @SadClubCommish
Maybe the most incredible start to a hockey game I’ve ever seen.
Hockey Night in Canada’s Kevin Bieksa
That was the greatest start to a hockey game ever. This arena was absolutely shaking… I spilled Kelly’s (Hrudey) coffee all over him when this was happening. I apologize.
Team Canada player Brandon Hagel, on his fight with Matthew Tkachuk
He asked. And I’m not backing down from him.

Team Canada’s Brandon Hagel on his epic opening fight with Matthew Tkachuk.

“He asked. And I’m not backing down from him.” pic.twitter.com/epKvEFmtwO
US football icon JJ Watt @JJWatt
4 Nations is the best idea hockey has had in a long time.
Only thing missing is Doc Emrick on the call.
NHL.com hockey writer Dan Rosen @drosennhl
Dylan Larkin spin-o-rama in front, hits the left post. Great pass from Jaccob Slavin. Great move by Larkin. Still 1-1.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler @scottcwheeler
Binnington is swimming. Zero calm or control, constantly losing his net.
AP hockey writer Stephen Whyno @SWhyno
Jordan Binnington has been absolutely terrific since allowing the US goal earlier.
Boston hockey commentator Kevin Paul Dupont @GlobeKPD
Stay strong, Canada.
Stay separate.
Stay every bit of you.
Signed,
Proud Yank, and proud grandson of Albertine Gagne, Baie-St-Paul, QC.

McDavid pulls@a Draisaitl, reverse hit pic.twitter.com/qw5o74AC3P
Larkin scores, USA 2, Canada 1

Dylan Larkin gives the United States the lead! 🦅#4Nations | @DetroitRedWings

pic.twitter.com/jDmAb6TMwb
Detroit hockey writer George Malik @georgemalik
PLAY ME SOME MOTOWN FREE BIRD.
Larkin takes the pass races up the rw side and chips it into the net behind BiNNINGTON!
David Staples, the Cult of Hockey
Sidney Crosby, the hero of Canada’s first game with that most dreaded of all hockey-o-logical phenomenon, the turnover just inside the offensive blueline, just as Canadian d-men were changing, leading to a 2-on-1, with Larkin scoring on a high slot shot.

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