The United States and Canada Dressed their hockey rivalry in Montreal on Saturday, and the tension was perhaps bigger than ever.
However, the tension was raised by the fans and their politics.
Before the Puck dropped in Bell Center on Saturday, Canadian fans released for the second time playing the “Star-Spangled Banner” in the same number of matches with the US in the tournament.
Click here for more sports reporting on Foxnews.com
Charlie Mcavoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) of the US are on their blue line during pregame ceremonies for a 4 nations face-off Match against Finland against Finland on Bell Center February 13, 2025, in Montreal. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup Hockey via Getty Images)
Fans were chased despite the announcer of the public address who begged them to “respect” both folk songs and the players. The American national anthem was first sung and stood out everywhere.
The angry was louder because of the nature of the competition because the two countries are considered a hockey pair and had classic matchups at all levels. However, the Jeers were mainly a reaction to President Donald Trump and his proposed 25% rates for goods from Canada to the US Trump also said that Canada could become the ’51st state’.
The Canadian crowd did the same Thursday before the Americans faced Finland, and the game sounded like a home game in Canada when Finland asked for a 1-0 lead. Vs won the game. 6-1.
Fans of Raptors and Senators also fascinated the “Star-Spangled Banner” earlier this month when American teams visited Toronto and Ottawa. Vancouver Canucks broadcaster John Shorthouse even joked that a penalty would be 2½ minutes Because of the 25% rates.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also present in a Canada Jersey team. Trudeau said he resigned after the pressure from his own liberal party increasingly grew in the midst of increased criticism of his handling of the economy and threats of Trump.
Two -time Olympic gold medal winner Michelle Kwan, a resident of California, was also booed while he introduced the team players of Team USA. Kwan served as an ambassador for the United States in Belize during the presidency of Joe Biden.
Matthew Tkachuk (19) and his teammates from the United States celebrate after Tkachuk scored his second goal of the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off match against Finland in Bell Center on 13 February 2025, in Montreal. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup Hockey via Getty Images)
On Saturday, the first time that the United States and Canada are opposed to each other in a best-to-best format since 2016 during the World Cup Hockey, which returns in 2028 after a 12-year interruption.
Canada has won 13 consecutive games when NHL players fill in schedules. Perhaps the most famous game in the US and Canada was the 2010 Olympic gold medal game in Vancouver, when Sidney Crosby scored in the extension to give the home team gold.
NHL director Bill Daly said this week that the competition was “Monitoring” the “unhappy” situation And hoped that fans would respect the national anthem.
“I think it’s a bit ebbs,” Daly said. “Our experience is a positive experience in Montreal this last week, with two American teams playing there. So I hope that will continue. Sport is a way to break down barriers and bring people closer together, and we hope that This tournament can certainly help. “
Charlie Mcavoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) of the United States are on their blue line during pregame ceremonies for a 4 nations face Off match against Finland in Bell Center February 13, 2025, in Montreal. (Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup Hockey via Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
A victory in regulation on Saturday would achieve a appearance in a final of one game for the US.
Follow Fox News Digital’s Sports reporting on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle -Newsletter.
