The US-Canada rival on the ice is a long-lasting one, but the rivalry seems to have gone politically.
The bordering countries will take the ice on Saturday night in Montreal for 4 Nations Face-off, the first time the two countries have played against each other in a best-at-best format since the World Cup in Hockey in 2016.
When Team USA faced Finland on Thursday night in Canada, the amount of anti-usa, booing the US players and later, the national anthem, despite the public address, was announcing pleaded fans to respect both hymns.
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Team USA Forward Brady Tkachuk celebrates a goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-off game in the Bell Center. (David Kirouac/Imag images)
“I think it’s obviously an unfortunate situation. I don’t think anyone likes when hymns are booed or not respected in any way, and certainly we count among this group,” Bill Daly, NHL’s Deputy Commissioner, told Bloombergs “” Sporting business “Podcast.
A rivalry is a rivalry, but tension between Canadians and the United States is high after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods imported from the north. He also said that Canada could be the “51st state.”
Raptors and Senators Fans also booed “Star-Spangled Banner” earlier this month when US teams visited Toronto and Ottawa. Vancouver Canucks advertiser John Shorthouse even joked that a penalty would be 2½ minutes Due to the 25% duty rates.
Charlie McAvoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) from the United States stand by their blue line during the song of the United Sates National Anthem before a 4 Nations Face-off games against Finland in Bell Center 13 February 2025 in Montreal. (Vitor Munhoz/4nfo/World Cup of Hocky Via Getty Images)
Team USA star Matthew Tkachuk delivers Stern One-Liner after Canadian fans boo during the US national anthem
Daly said the NHL “monitors the situation.”
“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.
The puck falls at. 20, and a victory in regulation for the United States will squeeze a place in the next Saturday’s final with a game. There is a chance that the two could play each other for the tournament title when it moves to Boston next week.
Matt Boldy (12) from the United States celebrates with Jaccob Slavin (74), Brock Faber (14), Kyle Connor (8) and JT Miller (10), after Boldy scored a goal in the second period of a 4 Nations Face -OFF GAME AGAINST Finland in Bell Center 13 February 2025 in Montreal. (Andrea Cardin/4nfo/World Cup of Hockey Via Getty Images)
Canada beat the famous United States in the 2010 Olympic Gold Medal Game in Vancouver with a Sidney Crosby overtime goal.
