During the 4 Nations preliminary game in February, tensions between Canada and the United States quickly escalated, sparking an intense fight that left a lasting impact on Sam Bennett. The Florida Panthers forward described the moment on the Empty Netters podcast, sharing why the incident involving Matthew Tkachuk stood out to him. Bennett, now secured by the Panthers through an eight-year, $64 million deal, sensed the brewing confrontation even before the puck dropped.
He explained that despite uncertainty about whether a fight would occur, he had a strong instinct that something was about to happen.
“I’ve known Chucky (Matthew Tkachuk) a long time, and I just had this gut feeling,” Bennett said (Timestamp: 18:20). “I didn’t say anything to anyone, but something told me something was about to go down.”
This intuition came true moments before the game started.
“Before puck drop, Brady [Tkachuk] skated up to me and said, ‘Hey, we’re going as soon as we’re out there,’” Bennett recalled. “And I was like, ‘Get away from me, you’re not telling me when we’re going.’”
The Rapid Exchange that Ignited the Fight
Just two seconds after the opening faceoff, Matthew Tkachuk engaged in a fight with Brandon Hagel, immediately igniting the crowd. Seconds later, Bennett himself stepped onto the ice to fight Brady Tkachuk.
“I looked at Coop [Jon Cooper] and said, ‘I’m going.’ And he goes, ‘F**k right,’” Bennett said. “It was such a cool moment. Just raw, in-the-moment stuff, in front of a crowd like that, repping your country.”
Watching his close friend and teammate battle Hagel fired Bennett up like never before.
“Honestly, watching Chucky fight Hagel, I was the most fired up I’ve ever been watching from the bench,” he said. “I’m screaming, ‘Come on Hags! Kill him! Kill him!’”
Despite the intense rivalry in that moment, Bennett emphasized the ultimate commitment they shared.
“You’re just in it, fighting for your country.”
Bennett’s Role in Canada’s 4 Nations Journey and Olympic Aspirations
Sam Bennett also reflected on what it meant to represent Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, highlighting the pride he felt wearing the national jersey and the atmosphere created by passionate fans. On the podcast, he described the opportunity as something deeply meaningful.
“It really is the greatest honor,” Bennett said on Tuesday (Timestamp: 17:11).
During the tournament’s final, Bennett scored a critical goal that tied the game at 2-2 against the United States, contributing significantly to the team’s momentum. The gold medal was ultimately secured by Connor McDavid’s overtime goal.
Having experienced high-pressure moments with the Florida Panthers—where Bennett helped win consecutive Stanley Cups and finished the regular season with 25 goals and 26 assists—his passion for competition was evident both on the ice and in international play. This fight and the tournament underscore Bennett’s fiery dedication and the intensity that comes with playing for his country on the global stage.