The four-country showdown will update its old rivalry in comments about Trump’s tariff threat and the creation of the 51st state in Great White North.
It’s more than just a hockey game.
On February 20th, the best American player in the National Hockey League will once again face Canada’s best player in the first four Nations face-off tournament championship match. This is round two of nearly a decade’s competitive matches, causing American fans to clash between sport and national politics at a level that reminds American fans of the 1980 miracle over the ice victory over the Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, Canadians whose national identity is directly linked to hockey have mutual feelings as the emotions around the series booed the US national anthem during the first match of the February 15 tournament in Montreal. It seemed to indicate that it was.
Currently, the anthem booing begins before the 4 Nations tournament and dates back to the weekend of February 1st, when the start of the NHL games in Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver. The US national anthem was also booed at the start of the NBA game, with the Toronto Raptors hosting the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks.
However, despite the Bell Center demanding that all fans respect both national anthems, the boo continued, and then Team USA began three fights in the first nine seconds.
It was widely reported and assumed that the fight was directly related to rudeness, but brothers Brady, Matthew Tokachuk and JT Miller are planning to start the game in a fight in group chat has been revealed.
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However, when he appeared on Fox’s “American Newsroom” on February 17th, Team USA general manager did not rule out the current political situation as an inspiration for physicality.
“I think it’s just a little bit of everything. Canada US is a big rivalry in hockey,” he said. “I think there was a bit of a political flare on it. That’s when we’re there. I think our guys used it as inspiration. If you’re going to make it better for you, You’re in trouble. But I really think the players used it as inspiration.”
The last time NHL players had their latest international game was at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Team USA played Canada at the 2022 and 2018 Winter Olympics, but no NHL players participated.
Why do Canadians disrespect the American national anthem? Perhaps it was by President Donald Trump, who threatened Canada with tariffs early in the second presidency and expressed his desire to make Canada the 51st state.
In response to the threat of tariffs, Canadians have recently threatened to boycott American products, as well as visiting countries like Florida.
Canada scored their first goal of the match on February 15th, but the US won 3-1, dealing a blow to national heroes like Sydney Crosby and Conor McDavid. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance.
The game concluded Canada’s 17-game winning streak, his latest best play against the US and a 26-game winning streak against Crosby on the roster.
“We had to send a message,” Matthew Tokachuk said of the fight, winning the Associated Press. “The message we want to send is, “It’s our time.” ”
His brother Brady said he was excited to play the role of a villain before the game, and his teammates reflected that sentiment.
“We’re kind of a bad guy, and it’s a fun role to play,” said defensive man Noah Hannifin. “I know tomorrow will probably be the most intense environment I’ve ever had. So it’s these moments you’re dreaming of and it’s exciting to be part of it. It’s what you’re going to be. It’s something you’ll take with you for the rest of your life.”
This was set to be an exhibited All Start Tournament mid-season. Not recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation, International Olympic Committee, or International Sports Authority.
But these people are running at full speed with the privilege of representing their country. This is in stark contrast to the traditional All-Star event.
“It’s like Game 7,” McDavid said. “A lot of people in this room were in that situation before. We got the victory.”
The NHL has confirmed that over 10 million people in North America have adjusted to watch the game on February 15th, and is expected to be further tuned on February 20th as action expands.
As Guerin told Fox News the president was welcomed, one of those viewers could be Trump.
“If President Trump was in attendance, we love it. We have a room full of proud American players, coaches and staff,” he said. “And listen, we are trying to represent our country in the best way we can.”
I’ll be coming on Friday and the regular season will resume. Many American players will return to Canadian teams, including Team USA captain Austin Matthews, and resume their roles as captains for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Similarly, the Canadian players will all return to the US, with Braden Pointe, Anthony Chilelli, Brandon Hagel and manager John Cooper returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
But up until then, sports fans have another night of hockey.
The Associated Press and Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.
