Gamers and followers stand for the U.S. nationwide anthem previous to the primary interval of 4 Nations Face-Off hockey recreation between Canada and the USA in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press through AP
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Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press through AP
MONTREAL — Followers in Montreal loudly booed the U.S. nationwide anthem previous to the 4 Nations Face-Off recreation between the People and Canada on Saturday evening.
It is the second time “The Star-Spangled Banner” drew that response in two video games the USA has performed on the NHL-run worldwide event.
And it got here after public tackle announcer Michel Lacroix requested the gang, in French and English, “Within the spirit of this nice recreation that unites everybody that you simply kindly respect the anthems and the gamers that signify every nation.”
This time, way more of the followers at Bell Centre booed than Thursday evening earlier than the U.S. beat Finland. The booing started when warrant officer David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Power Band began singing and lasted all the size of the track.
“We knew it was going to occur,” U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski mentioned after beating Canada 3-1 and quieting the gang of over 21,000. “It occurred the final recreation, it has been occurring within the NHL earlier than this and we knew tonight was going to be the identical manner. We clearly do not prefer it.”
U.S. gamers have been making an attempt to tune it out. After beating Finland 6-1 on Thursday, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck mentioned he “paid no consideration to” the booing.
“You’ve got free speech,” Hellebuyck mentioned. “You are able to do no matter you need. If you are going to boo the anthem, we sing it for the troops that protected our freedom. That does not actually imply something to me. You are able to do no matter you need. However I do not use it in any respect.”
Werenski mentioned it offered some gas with the U.S. serving within the villain function in Canada.
“It’s what it’s,” Werenski mentioned. “We sort of had an concept. We used it as motivation one of the best 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 do not prefer it, although.”
U.S. ahead Matthew Tkachuk, who fought Canada’s Brandon Hagel off the opening faceoff, setting off a sequence of three bouts in 9 seconds, mentioned it had nothing to do with the anthem booing. If something, gamers felt it added to the enjoyable of the evening.
“It is simply unbelievable, the environment, to play on this stage in Canada, that was fairly cool for all of us I believe,” mentioned winger Jake Guentzel, who scored twice, together with the empty-netter that sealed it. “There’s loads of pleasure from our group popping out for warmups and simply seeing how packed it was. That was fairly particular.”
Followers throughout Canada have booed the U.S. anthem at NHL and NBA video games since President Donald Trump started making repeated references to the nation changing into “the 51st state.” Trump additionally threatened tariffs in opposition to the nation, prompting backlash from a detailed neighbor and longtime ally.
Requested Friday at observe about followers booing the U.S. anthem, veteran Canada defenseman Drew Doughty voiced opposition to it.
“Clearly, I do know what is going on on, and I perceive the Canadians’ frustration, however I believe we should always respect the anthems and stuff like that,” Doughty mentioned. “I do not suppose anybody needs to be booing.”
