With tensions between the United States and Canada at its maximum moment since the nineteenth century, American hockey players are talking after the national anthem was booed before a game.
The NHL has taken a pause for the 'confrontation of 4 nations': a mini tournament held between the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland as a set -up before NHL players can finally compete again in the Olympic Games Winter.
But in Thursday night's game between the United States and Finland held at the Bell Center in Montreal, Canadian fans who attended began to boo the heart of the American national anthem.
It occurs in the midst of high tensions between the two nations that were caused by a provocative rhetoric of President Trump, including threats of a commercial war due to an increase in tariffs on Canadian goods.
As a result, Canadian fans have been expressing their opposition by booing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in the NHL and NBA games in recent days.
When asked about the reception, the US alternative captain. And Florida Panthers striker Matthew Tkachuk simply said: 'I didn't like it. That is all I have.
In the midst of a context of high political tension between the United States and Canada, those attending a set of 4 nations clashes with the United States in Montreal booed the national anthem
The provocative rhetoric of President Trump has tensioned the relationship between countries
Some American hockey players expressed their frustration. Others are using it as motivation.
In recent years, the fierce hockey rivalry between the United States and Canada has only won its competitiveness. Because of that, some players are seeing the anthem boo as an additional fuel to shoot them.
“I think we like it,” said the New York Rangers eaves, Jt Miller. 'Not politically, but maybe just as a sense of, we know where we are in Canada and I think that turns us more than anything. So it's great.
“Everyone has their own views on things,” said Wild Defense of Minnesota, Brock Faber. 'I feel honored to use red, white and blue. For us, we are focused on winning games.
'Obviously, fans here will be against us. And, you know, it will be the same when it is USA-Canadá, or whoever, the United States at Casa in Boston, right?
The US team coach Mike Sullivan, who also trains the Pittsburgh Penguins, says that the boo will not distract the team from its plan nation.
“These boys are hockey players, and they are here to play hockey,” said Sullivan. 'American are also proud and it is a privilege to represent their nation, and all of us who have the opportunity to participate and be part of this American team. It means a lot to all of us.
'We just want to play hockey. We want to compete. We want to represent our nation in the right way.
The Brady brothers (L) and Matthew Tkachuk (R) scored four of the six goals of the United States against Finland
The rivalry of Canadian-American hockey has grown in ferocity in recent years
A group of American fans encourage the US team at the Bell Center in Montreal on Thursday
In addition, it is not that the boo was particularly useful. The United States throbbed Finland 6-1 thanks to a third period of four goals.
Matthew Tkachuk and his brother, the striker of the Senators of Ottawa, Brady Tkachuk, were responsible for two goals per piece. Striker Matt Boldy and Tampa Bay Bay and Tampa Bay striker Jake Guentzel, the other two added.
USA team. Next plays Canada at the Bell Center at 8:00 pm east time on Saturday. The next games for the four teams and the inevitable final will be held on TD Garden in Boston.
The United States and Canada have had an established hockey rivalry for a long time, which includes multiple clashes in the medal rounds of the Olympic Games. Canada defeated the United States in the Gold Medals game at the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Games, held at Salt Lake City, Utah and Vancouver, British Columbia, respectively.
In recent years, rivalry has been more popular in the Junior World Championship, since the Senior World Championship generally takes place during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Since 2020, Canada and the United States have won all the editions of the World Juniors, with both nations winning three times. That included the Juniors World 2021, where the United States beat Canada to win gold.
After the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the NHL decided to stop sending players to the Olympic Games for the 2018 Olympic Games in Peyongchang. In 2022, the NHL initially planned to send players to the winter games in Beijing, but the Covid-19 crisis and the strict quarantine policy resulted in that players were not sent.
This will change for the next 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina D'A Ampezzo in Italy, with the NHL according to letting their athletes compete.