The United States and Canada resumed their hockey rivalization on Saturday in Montreal, and the excitement may have been greater than ever.
However, the excitement was raised by the fans and their politics.
Before the puck fell on the Bell Center on Saturday, Canadian fans booed the play of the “star -sparkled banner” for the second time in so many matches involving the United States in the tournament.
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Charlie McAvoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) from the United States stand on their blue line under pregame ceremonies before a 4-nations facial game against Finland in Bell Center 13 February 2025 in Montreal. (Other Ringuette/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
Fans booed despite the public address that the advertiser asks for them to “respect” both hymns and the players. The American anthem was sung first and booed everywhere.
Boos was higher because of the nature of the competition because the two countries are considered hockey power centers and have had classic matchups at all levels. However, Jeers was mostly a response to President Donald Trump and his proposed 25% duty on goods coming from Canada to the US Trump has also said that Canada could become the “51st state.”
The Canadian audience did the same Thursday before the Americans faced Finland, and the game sounded like a home game in Canada when Finland jumped out to a 1-0 lead early. US won the game. 6-1.
Raptors and Senators Fans also booed “Star-Spangled Banner” earlier this month when US teams visited Toronto and Ottawa. Vancouver Canucks ad honron John Shorthouse even joked that a penalty would be 2½ minutes due to the 25% duty.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also present in a Team Canada jersey. Trudeau said he retired after pressure within his own liberal party grew increasingly in the midst of increased criticism of his handling of the economy and threats from Trump.
Two-time Olympic gold medal Michelle Kwan, a California native, was also booed while introducing the team US players. Kwan served as the US ambassador to Belize under the Presidency of Joe Bid.
Matthew Tkachuk (19) and his American teammates celebrate after Tkachuk scored his second goal during the third period during a 4 Nations Face-off game against Finland in Bell Center 13 February 2025 in Montreal. (Other Ringuette/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
Team USA star Matthew Tkachuk delivers Stern One-Liner after Canadian fans boo during the US national anthem
Saturday marks the first time the US and Canada face each other in a best-at-best format since 2016 during the Hockey World Cup, which returns in 2028 after a 12-year-old hiatus.
Canada has won 13 consecutive matches when NHL players fill out guards. The most famous US-Canada game was perhaps the 2010 Olympic Gold Medal in Vancouver when Sidney Crosby scored in overtime to give the homelight gold.
The NHL performing Bill Daly said this week that the league “monitored” the “unfortunate” situation and hoped that fans would respect the national anthem.
“I think it’s ebbing a little,” Daly said. “Our experience just this last week in Montreal was a positive experience where two American teams play there. So I hope it will continue. Sport is a way of breaking down barriers and bringing people closer together and we hope this tournament Can help do it, definitely.
Charlie McAvoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) from the United States stand on their blue line under pregame ceremonies before a 4-nations facial game Against Finland in Bell Center 13 February 2025 in Montreal. (Other Ringuette/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
A win in regulation Saturday would cope with a performance in a one-game final for the US
