The U.S. and Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off matchup on Saturday evening rapidly turned a slugfest as a number of gamers dropped gloves following boos throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The People defeated Canada, 3-1, on the Bell Centre in Montreal, however U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski was sad with the booing in the course of the nationwide anthem. Within the NHL, boos have been heard in the course of the tune after Trump introduced tariffs on Canada, which have since been paused. The president has additionally teased Canadians with the concept of Canada turning into the “51st state.”
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Workforce USA ahead Matthew Tkachuk, proper, celebrates his purpose with defenseman Zach Werenski in the course of the Workforce Finland sport at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Feb. 13, 2025. (David Kirouac-Imagn Photos)
Nonetheless, the boos have been heard.
“We knew it was going to occur,” Werenski mentioned. “It occurred the final sport, it’s been occurring within the NHL earlier than this, and we knew tonight was going to be the identical means. We clearly don’t prefer it.”
The U.S. confronted boos forward of their sport in opposition to Finland and later received 6-1.
“It’s what it’s,” Werenski mentioned. “We type of had an concept. We used it as motivation the most effective we may and located a method to get a win. However we had an concept going into it, so it wasn’t a shock. Positively don’t prefer it, although.”
Saturday’s sport noticed three fights happen within the first 9 seconds.
CANADA FANS, WITH TRUDEAU IN ATTENDANCE, AGAIN BOO ‘STAR-SPANGLED BANNER’ BEFORE GAME VS. USA DESPITE PUSHBACK
Canada’s Brandon Hagel and Matthew Tkachuk of the U.S. combat throughout their 4 Nations Face-Off sport in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
Matthew Tkachuk fought Brandon Hagel off the opening faceoff, his brother Brady tussled with Sam Bennett and J.T. Miller fought Colton Parayko. Brady Tkachuk informed ESPN that his brother’s combat “occurred fairly organically.”
“Matthew mentioned that he wished to go first, it simply occurred and now it’s over and accomplished with,” he mentioned. “It’s proper when Matthew discovered the beginning lineup, he mentioned that he wished a chunk of him (Hagel).”
Hagel added that he thought it was a “very long time coming” between him and Matthew Tkachuk.
Conor McDavid began the scoring for Canada however the U.S. answered with a Jake Guentzel purpose. Dylan Larkin scored within the second interval to take the lead. Guentzel then put in an empty-netter.
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Canada’s Brandon Hagel fights with United States’ Matthew Tkachuk in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes//The Canadian Press by way of AP)
“It’s simply unbelievable, the ambiance, to play on this stage in Canada, that was fairly cool for all of us I feel,” Guentzel added. “There’s a variety of pleasure from our workforce popping out for warmups and simply seeing how packed it was. That was fairly particular.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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