MONTREAL — Team USA heard “The Star-Spangled Banner” booed inside Bell Centre before its opening game at the 4 Nations Face-Off, raising tensions ahead of a matchup against the host Canadians on Saturday night.
“I didn’t like it,” American forward Matthew Tkachuk said after Thursday’s 6-1 win over Finland. “And that’s all I’ve got.”
The NHL knew this was a possibility after the American anthem was booed here before a Devils-Canadiens game last week, but hoped that the climate had been turned down when U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 30-day reprieve on his plans to institute a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods.
However, Trump has also mused about the possibility of making Canada the 51st state and earlier this week ordered a 25 percent tariff on all imports of steel and aluminum into the U.S. from all countries.
“It’s unfortunate, obviously, and we wish it wasn’t the case,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters Wednesday. “But from time to time things happen and people have strong feelings about it. Obviously, we’re aware of what’s been happening here.”
Before the Americans faced Finland on Thursday night, Bell Centre public address announcer Michel Lacroix urged fans to be respectful of the national anthems to uphold the spirit of the competition.
Still, a significant number of fans audibly booed — cameras showed Matthew Tkachuk fuming at the end of his team’s bench while it happened — before some others in the crowd attempted to drown them out with cheers.
“These guys are hockey players, and they’re here to play hockey,” said American coach Mike Sullivan. “They’re also proud Americans and it’s a privilege to represent your nation, and all of us that have the opportunity to participate and be part of this U.S. 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 negative reaction from the crowd stirred a range of emotions in the American players.
J.T. Miller thought it was something that could be used as added motivation.
“I think we like it,” he said. “Not politically, but maybe just as a sense of, we know where we’re at in Canada and I think that fires us up more than anything. So it’s great.”
“Everyone has their own views on things,” said teammate Brock Faber. “I’m honored to wear the red, white and blue. For us, we’re just focused on winning games. Obviously the fans here are going to be against us. And, you know, it’s going to be the same thing when it’s USA-Canada, or whoever, USA-Sweden back home in Boston, right?
“So, fans are passionate.”
The harsh reception should only fuel the anticipation ahead of Saturday’s Canada-USA showdown. Matthew Tkachuk told Sportsnet that he’d been dreaming about that game for nine years, while his brother Brady said it was going to be the biggest game of his life.
It’s worth noting that some of the Canadian players here, including Brad Marchand, have urged the home fans not to boo the American anthem.
“They might just be booing us because we’re the U.S. team here,” said American defenseman Zach Werenski. “Obviously, I’m a proud American and I love playing for the USA and being an American. I don’t want to get into the political side of it, but it is what it is.
“I like to just view it as they want us to lose because we’re the U.S. team.”
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(Photo: Vitor Munhoz / 4NFO / World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
