Following the intense Olympic semi-final matchup between the USA and Slovakia, tensions flared, particularly regarding the conduct of players on both sides. Slovakian forward Oliver Okuliar did not hold back in his criticism of Brayden and Matthew Tkachuk, calling them 'terrible players' and accusing them of engaging in unsportsmanlike behavior. He claimed that they performed numerous questionable actions during the match, which led to his frustration and a notable incident where he struck one of the Tkachuk brothers with his stick. Okuliar's remarks highlight the heightened emotions often seen in high-stakes international competition, where the pressure can lead to conflicts both on and off the ice.

The situation escalated further as the game progressed, with Slovakia's discipline coming into question. Throughout the match, the Tkachuks appeared to provoke the Slovakian team, resulting in multiple penalties being issued to Slovakia—four two-minute penalties were recorded in just the second period alone. The Slovak team struggled to maintain their composure amidst the Tkachuks' provocations, which ultimately may have contributed to their performance and the outcome of the match.

The altercation continued even after the final whistle, with a brawl breaking out in the players' tunnel involving Matthew Tkachuk and Slovakian defenseman Erik Cernak just two minutes before the match concluded. Such incidents reflect the intense rivalries and pressures present in international hockey competitions, raising questions about sportsmanship and the emotional toll on athletes competing at such high levels.