Former Canadian hockey player Paul Bissonnette warned of a national emergency for the country if Team Canada loses to the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off final on Thursday.
Bissonnette gave the statement during an interview about “Forgive My Take” podcast on Wednesday when asked if a loss to the United States would encourage a national emergency in his country.
“It would be safe to say, ‘yes,’ it would be a national emergency if we lose this game on Thursday,” Bissonnette said.
The former player and current TV analyst suggested that a loss would cause countless Canadians to doubt their national team’s competence in view of the effort.
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Team Canada celebrates a goal in the first period against Team Finland in TD Garden in Boston. (Bob Dechiara-prescribed images)
“For a week Just will all discuss about the set -up decisions that would be conversations about blowing up Hockey Canada and restructuring it all. There will be dialogue about how youth hockey is too expensive, how much it is to rent ice cream, how much it is to buy equipment about how the ordinary man has been shut out, ”Bissonnette said.
The efforts for Thursday’s game have been raised in the midst of physical hostility between the teams throughout the tournament and geopolitical excitement between the two countries in recent weeks.
It started on February 13 when Canada fans in Montreal lived the US national anthem. The excitement came from President Donald Trump’s recent threats of issuing tariffs in Canada, while it also suggests that the country should become the 51 of America.
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Team United States Tip Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada Tip Brandon Hagel are fighting in the first period of their 4 Nations Face-off Matchup on Saturday. (Eric Bolt-Preferred Pictures)
Then Saturday broke out three matches in the first nine seconds of one 4 Nations Face-off Play between US and Canada.
By opening Puck -Drop, Matthew Tkachuk from USA and Canadas Brandon Hagel Did not wait to drop the gloves. Just two seconds later, Matthew’s brother, Brady, went toe to toe with Sam Bennett. Then a scrap that involved almost everyone, and JT Miller and Colton Parayko broke out in their own fight.
The United States went on to the game, 3-1.
The Canadian national anthem was then booed in TD Garden in Boston before a 4 Nations game between Canada and Finland. Canada won that game to get a matchup against the United States in the championship.
General Manager of the American Men’s Team, Bill Guerin, appeared “America’s news room” Monday and was asked if the fight was ignited because of booing, earlier heat between players or the political dispute between the United States and Canada. Guerin said he thought it was all the above.
“I think a little of everything. Canada-usa is a huge rivalry in hockey,” he said. “I think there was a bit of a political flare -up of it. That’s just the time we’re in. I think our guys used it as inspiration. If you let it get better by you are you In trouble but I really think the players used it as inspiration.
The United States Dylan Larkin (right) celebrates his goal against Canada with teammate Matt Boldy in the second period in Montreal on February 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/the Canadian press via AP)
Guerin proclaimed the intensity of the game between the two teams and called it the “highest level of hockey ever the game.”
Guerin even said Trump should attend Thursday’s match.
“We would love it if President Trump was present. We have a room full of proud American players and coaches and staff,” he said. “And listen, we’re just trying to represent our country in the best way we can.”
