Over 20,000 Canadian fans at Montreal’s Bell Centre drowned out “The Star-Spangled Banner” with resounding boos before a pivotal match in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
This blatant disrespect, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau present in the crowd, ignited a fierce response from Team USA, ultimately crushing Canada with a resounding 3-1 victory.
The disrespectful jeering began as soon as Warrant Officer David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Force commenced singing the U.S. national anthem.
WATCH:
Canadians are now booing our national anthem every chance they get.
Mr. President, you have our permission to increase the tariffs to 50%.pic.twitter.com/lopKHkorI1
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 16, 2025
Here’s another video:
How the “Star-Spangled Banner” sounded inside Bell Centre before USA-Canada at #4Nations.
Plenty of boos. pic.twitter.com/EFoKJMFuAh
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 16, 2025
Undeterred by the antagonistic atmosphere, the American players channeled the crowd’s negativity into motivation.
The game erupted into physical confrontations immediately after the puck dropped, with three separate fights breaking out within the first nine seconds.
The opening faceoff saw Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel drop gloves, followed by bouts between Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett and then J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko, according to the New York Post.
WATCH:
Canada boos the US anthem.
Three fights in first nine seconds.
Massive hits.
pic.twitter.com/rSqIOBf0o4
— Will Cain (@willcain) February 16, 2025
After an early goal by Canada’s Connor McDavid, the Americans answered with a goal from Jake Guentzel. Dylan Larkin then secured the lead, and Guentzel sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final moments, which secured Team USA’s spot in the championship final.
WATCH:
Dylan Larkin from Michigan delivers winning goal as USA Hockey defeats Canada 3-1.
Oooh Canada that’s gotta hurt us beating you in hockey.
Do not boo our national anthem next time.
pic.twitter.com/idFER05YpX— Big Fish (@BigFish3000) February 16, 2025
The political climate between the neighboring nations has grown increasingly tense, especially following President Trump’s remarks suggesting that Canada could benefit from becoming the 51st state of the United States.
Trudeau, whom Trump called as governor, stood in the crowd, witnessing the Canadian team’s humiliating defeat at the hands of the American team.
WATCH:
Governor Justin Trudeau was in attendance to watch Canada lose to Team USA.
Hilarious. pic.twitter.com/b4QIXvP7yK
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) February 16, 2025
This incident marked the second consecutive time the American national anthem was met with derision during the tournament.
Earlier in the week, large sections of the crowd booed the anthem ahead of the game against Finland, which the U.S. won 6-1, thanks to a four-goal third period.
More from Global News:
“I didn’t like it, and that’s all I got,” forward Matthew Tkachuk, who finished with two goals and an assist, said of the jeers throughout anthem singer Alexandre Sylvestre’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Fans at NHL games in Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver booed the U.S. anthem in recent weeks after President Donald Trump announced potentially crippling tariffs – a 30-day reprieve was negotiated Feb. 3 – and continues to muse about making the country’s northern neighbour its 51st state.
There were also boos at recent home games of Canada’s lone NBA franchise, the Toronto Raptors.
“That’s really not something that we can control,” U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan added Thursday night. “We just want to play hockey. We want to compete. We want to represent our nation in the right way.”
The Americans were also loudly jeered when they hit the ice ahead of puck drop and again during player introductions. There were no boos during Finland’s anthem.
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