The tension was palpable as the United States faced off against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off game on Saturday night in Montreal. Fans at the Bell Centre made their displeasure known by loudly booing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the U.S. national anthem, for the second time in two games at the NHL-run international tournament.
The booing began when warrant officer David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band started singing the anthem and continued throughout the entire song. The public address announcer, Michel Lacroix, had made a plea to the crowd in French and English to respect both the anthems and the players representing each country in the spirit of unity that the game brings.
Despite the hostile reception, the U.S. team managed to secure a 3-1 victory over Canada, silencing the crowd of over 21,000 spectators. Defenseman Zach Werenski acknowledged the anticipated booing, stating, “We knew it was going to happen. It happened the last game, it’s been happening in the NHL before this and we knew tonight was going to be the same way. We obviously don’t like it.”
The U.S. players, including goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, tried to maintain focus and tune out the negativity. Hellebuyck emphasized the importance of free speech while expressing his indifference to the anthem booing, emphasizing that they sing the anthem to honor the troops who protect their freedom. The players used the negative energy as motivation to secure the win, despite the challenging circumstances.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk, who ignited the game with a fight against Canada’s Brandon Hagel, noted that the atmosphere and intensity of playing in Canada added to the excitement for the U.S. team. Winger Jake Guentzel, who scored twice in the game, described the experience of playing on such a grand stage as special and thrilling for the team.
The anthem booing phenomenon is not exclusive to this tournament but has been observed at NHL and NBA games across Canada. The strained relations between the U.S. and Canada, exacerbated by political tensions and threats of tariffs, have contributed to the negative sentiments expressed by fans during anthems. Despite the disagreements, veteran Canada defenseman Drew Doughty advocated for respect during anthem ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of honoring the anthems.
Moving forward, the NHL will continue to host the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, featuring Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States, from February 12 to 20. As the competition unfolds, it remains to be seen how the dynamics between the teams and their respective fans will evolve, shaping the narrative of international sportsmanship and rivalry.
