It is more than just a hockey game.
On Feb. 20, the National Hockey League’s best American players will face off against its best Canadian players once again in the championship bout of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. It is round two of a rivalry match nearly a decade overdue, colliding national politics with sport on a level that has American fans reminiscing about their 1980 Miracle on Ice victory against the Soviet Union.
The Canadians, meanwhile, whose national identity is directly tied to hockey, appeared to indicate the feelings around this series are mutual by booing the U.S. national anthem during their first match of the tournament on Feb. 15 in Montreal.
Anthem booing started before the 4 Nations tournament, occurring as far back as the weekend of Feb. 1 at the start of NHL games in Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. The U.S. anthem was also booed at the start of NBA games, with the Toronto Raptors hosting the Los Angeles Clippers and then the New York Knicks.
However, this booing ensued despite that Bell Centre requested that all fans show respect to both anthems, and it was followed by three fights started by Team USA in the first nine seconds of play.
While it was widely reported and assumed that the fights were directly related to the disrespect, brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, and JT Miller revealed that they were already planning to start the game off with fights in a group chat.
However, Team USA’s general manager, Bill Guerin, didn’t rule out the current political climate as inspiration for the physicality when he appeared on Fox’s “America’s Newsroom” on Feb. 17.
“I think a little bit of everything. Canada–U.S. is a huge rivalry in hockey,” he said. “I think there was a little bit of a political flair to it. It’s just the time that we’re in. I think our guys used that as inspiration. If you let it get the better of you, then you’re in trouble. But I really do think the players used it as inspiration.”
Why are Canadians disrespecting the U.S. anthem? It is most likely because of President Donald Trump, who, in the early days of his second presidency, threatened Canada with tariffs and expressed his desire to make Canada the 51st state.
In response to the tariff threat, Canadians have also recently threatened to boycott American products, as well as visiting states like Florida.
Canada scored the first goal of the game on Feb. 15, but the United States went on to win 3–1, with crushing hits to national heroes such as Sydney Crosby and Connor McDavid in the process. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance.
The game ended Canada’s 17-game win streak in best-on-best play against the United States and its 26-game win streak with Crosby on the roster.
“We needed to send a message,” Matthew Tkachuk said of the fights and win to The Associated Press. “The message we wanted to send is ‘It’s our time.’”
His brother Brady mentioned before the game that he was excited to play the villain role, and his teammates echoed that sentiment.
“We’re kind of the bad guys; it’s a fun role to play,” defenseman Noah Hanifin said. “I know the environment tomorrow is going to be probably the most intense I’ve ever been a part of. So it’s these moments you dream of, and it’s exciting to be a part of it. It’s stuff that you’ll take with you the rest of your life.”
This was set up to be an exhibition all-star tournament midway through the season. It is not recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation, the International Olympic Committee, or any international sporting authority.
Yet the privilege to represent one’s country has these players driving full speed, a stark contrast to traditional all-star events.
“It’s kind of like a Game 7,” McDavid said. “A lot of guys in this room have been in that situation before. Got to get a win.”
The NHL confirmed that more than 10 million people across North America tuned in to watch the game on Feb. 15, and more are expected to tune in on Feb. 20 as the action highlights spread.
One of those viewers could be Trump, as Guerin told Fox News that the president was welcome.
“We would love it if President Trump was in attendance. We have a room full of proud American players and coaches and staff,” he said. “And listen, we’re just trying to represent our country the best way we can.”
“I’ll be calling our GREAT American Hockey Team this morning to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada, which with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State,” he wrote on the morning of Feb. 20.
Trump is scheduled to speak at the Republican Governors Association in Washington Thursday night but said, “We will all be watching.”
He also invited Trudeau, whom he referred to as “Governor Trudeau” to join him in watching the game.
“Good luck to everybody, and have a GREAT game tonight,” he added. “So exciting!”
Come Feb. 21, the regular season will resume. Many American players will return to Canadian teams, including Austin Matthews, Team USA’s captain, who will resume his role as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Likewise, Canadian players will return to the United States, including Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, and head coach Jon Cooper, who will all go back to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
But until then, sports fans have one more night of nation-first hockey.
