The energy in Montreal’s Bell Centre was electric when Team USA took to the ice for their warm-up. In place of applause, though, was a wave of boos that rained squarely on the American players. Such a greeting would intimidate most, but it fueled Matthew Tkachuk‘s fire. The Florida Panthers forward, one who has built a career on feeding off of adversity, has been waiting for this day for nearly a decade. And now, heading into Team USA’s intense matchup against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off, he’s ready to play the bad guy.

The last time that Tkachuk laced up in red, white, and blue to face Canada was in the 2016 World Juniors when he was a key performer in a 4-2 victory. Nine years on, he finally gets to play against the Americans’ arch-rivals again, and he is relishing every second of it. After a decisive 6-1 win over Finland, in which he scored two goals and one assist, he recalled the lead-up to the game against Canada.

Rather than dismissing the cacophany of boos, though, Tkachuk took a moment to soak it in. “That was really, really cool. That’s all I’ve got to say,” he said. “It’s a special moment for us to be able to play with each other. I think that’s when it finally set in, when the fans were obviously booing us when we came out for warm-ups and I’m following him. It was unbelievable.”

They might have expected the outcome since the game was in Canada, though Tkachuk is at his best in situations like these.. Whether it was scolding fans for booing during the United States national anthem before playing Finland or feeding off of the ill will, his feisty demeanor adds yet another aspect to the already highly hyped game of the tournament.

The Tkachuk brothers and their unique role in Team USA

For Matthew and his younger brother Brady Tkachuk, the 4 Nations Face-Off is something more than just a tournament—it’s a time to play side by side on the global stage, which is a rare occurrence as NHL players haven’t played an international tournament since 2016. The two previously played together just once, at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, but here, they’re they can build a deeper connection on the ice.

“So many great funny moments that already happened,” said Matthew Tkachuk. “We’ve already talked of this time, playing together, for all time. And here it is happening finally; it’s just been wonderful, and we’re just grateful for it.” Brady Tkachuk concurred with his brother, adding, “We said it when it started. I think that this week and a half is going to be some of the fun that we’re going to ever have. We’ve already had a great time together.”

But make no mistake—when the puck is dropped, the Tkachuks will be bringing their trademark edge to the ice. With their hard-hitting, hard-playing style, they set this team’s identity, something that was emphasized by head coach Mike Sullivan.

“If I would describe our group that [the Tkachuks] would be our identity of this group. I believe that we do have tough competitors, number one,” Sullivan said. “We do have players on our team that are going to pull us in there and get in there and scrap it out, so to speak.”  It’s clear they’ve inherited a lot from their dad, Keith Tkachuk—a U.S. hockey legend, having played in four Olympics and clinched the World Cup of Hockey in ’96. Now, it’s his sons’ turn to carve out their own legacy in the sport. Their combination of strength and leadership, not to mention their knack for handling pressure, puts them right at the heart of Team USA’s drive for gold in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Now, for Matthew Tkachuk, will it be the game against Canada? It’s way more than just another international match. It’s like everything has been building up to this moment, a chance to show the hockey world that he and his team can hang with the best of the best. With his brother Brady backing him up and the crowd in Montreal against him, the Tkachuk brothers are having the time of their lives. The boos are raining down, the atmosphere is electric, and honestly, Matthew wouldn’t want it any other way. This is what hockey is all about for him—and come Saturday night, he’s ready to remind everyone of that.