Canadian Anthem Booed at 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Canadian national anthem was met with boos at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston, a response to Montreal fans jeering ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ last week. While the Canadian team received mixed reactions, Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was cheered by the local crowd. Despite the tensions, Canadian fans cheered loudly as Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon led Canada to a 5-3 win over Finland, setting up a final showdown against the U.S. on Thursday.
4 Nations Face-Off: Quick Looks
- Canadian Anthem Booed in Boston: U.S. fans jeered ‘O Canada’ before Canada’s game against Finland, likely in response to Montreal fans booing the U.S. anthem last week.
- Public Address Announcer Calls for Respect: The PA announcer urged fans to respect national anthems, but boos were still audible during Canada’s anthem.
- Brad Marchand Cheered in Boston: The Boston Bruins forward received loud cheers, while the rest of Team Canada got a mixed reaction.
- Trump’s Comments Fuel Sports Rivalry: Since Donald Trump suggested making Canada the 51st state, Canadian fans have booed the U.S. anthem at NHL and NBA games.
- Connor McDavid Scores Early, Energizes Fans: McDavid put Canada ahead just four minutes in, drawing cheers from Canadian supporters.
- Nathan MacKinnon Extends Lead Moments Later: Less than a minute after McDavid’s goal, MacKinnon scored to make it 2-0, giving Canada early control.
- Canada Defeats Finland 5-3: The win secures Canada’s place in Thursday’s final, where they will face off against the United States.
- Anthem Controversy Adds Fuel to Rivalry: With boos exchanged in both countries, the Canada vs. U.S. final is set to be an intense showdown.
Deep Look
The ongoing sports rivalry between Canada and the United States took another turn at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston on Monday, where the Canadian national anthem was met with scattered boos before their game against Finland. This reaction was widely seen as retaliation for the jeering of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ in Montreal last week, when Canadian fans loudly booed the American anthem during the tournament’s opening rounds.
The controversy surrounding the anthems adds another layer of intensity to the already fierce hockey rivalry between the two nations, especially as Canada’s victory over Finland sets up a final showdown against the United States on Thursday night.
Tensions Rise as Fans Boo Anthems in Both Countries
Ahead of Monday’s game, the public address announcer urged fans to respect the national anthems, asking them to honor the players who represent their countries. While many Canadian fans in the arena proudly sang along to ‘O Canada,’ a noticeable, though not overwhelming, section of the crowd responded with boos.
This reaction mirrored what took place in Montreal last week, where Canadian fans loudly booed ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before a U.S. game, prompting backlash from American hockey fans. While anthem jeering is nothing new in sports—particularly in the heated U.S.-Canada hockey rivalry—the tensions have been further inflamed by political issues between the two nations.
Since President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about making Canada “the 51st state” and his threats of tariffs against the country, Canadian sports crowds have repeatedly booed the U.S. anthem at NHL and NBA games. Monday’s response in Boston suggests that American fans are now answering back in kind.
Mixed Reception for Team Canada in Boston
The Canadian team received a louder but still mixed reception when they were introduced before the game. Some cheers came from the Canadian fans in attendance, but there were also some boos from the Boston crowd. However, one exception was Brad Marchand, a longtime forward for the Boston Bruins, who was greeted with loud cheers from the local fans.
Meanwhile, Finland’s team received little reaction from the crowd, with most fans simply waiting for the game to begin.
McDavid and MacKinnon Lead Canada to Victory
Once the puck dropped, the focus quickly shifted from the anthem controversy to the action on the ice, and Canada wasted no time making an impact. Just four minutes into the game, Connor McDavid broke through the Finnish defense and scored, sending Canadian fans into a frenzy. Less than a minute later, Nathan MacKinnon found the back of the net, giving Canada a commanding 2-0 lead early in the first period.
Finland battled back but ultimately couldn’t match Canada’s offensive firepower. Canada secured a 5-3 victory, officially punching their ticket to the finals on Thursday night against the United States.
Anthem Controversy Adds Fire to Canada-U.S. Finals
With boos exchanged in both Boston and Montreal, the rivalry between Canada and the United States is now more heated than ever. The anthem jeering, combined with the history of intense international hockey battles between the two nations, sets the stage for a dramatic and emotional championship game.
As Canada and the U.S. prepare for their high-stakes rematch, all eyes will be on how both teams respond—not only on the ice but also in how their fans react before the game. Whether there will be another round of anthem boos remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Canada vs. U.S. final will be an unforgettable showdown in one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.