A heated ice hockey contest between the United States and Canada on Saturday commenced with three altercations in the initial nine seconds.
Even prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off match in Montreal, tensions brewed among the crowd of over 21,000 spectators at Bell Centre.
Canadian fans expressed their dissatisfaction with Team USA by booing during “The Star-Spangled Banner” and as the American team members were called out.
Linesmen intervene to break up the scuffle
Recent comments from Donald Trump suggesting that Canada should become a US state, along with threats of tariffs, have provoked outrage among many Canadians.
Fans all over Canada have booed the US anthem at NHL and NBA matches since the president’s remarks.
Canadian supporters erupted in cheers as fights ensued
Ultimately, the Americans triumphed, claiming a 3-1 victory over Canada and earning a place in the tournament final.
Who clashed with whom?
Just after the puck was dropped, and two seconds into the match, Matthew Tkachuk of the US team and Brandon Hagel of Team Canada squared off.
Following that, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew’s sibling, and Canada’s Sam Bennett, a forward for the Florida Panthers, targeted each other.
In the third altercation, New York Rangers forward J T Miller and Colton Parayko, a Canadian alternate captain for the St. Louis Blues, exchanged punches.
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Prior to the prestigious match, warrant officer David Grenon of the Royal Canadian Air Force Band was met with booing as he began to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The chorus of boos continued for the entirety of the anthem.
Canadian supporters in Montreal vociferously booed the US national anthem as sung by warrant officer David Grenon
American players have been attempting to ignore the hostility. Following their 6-1 victory over Finland on Thursday, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stated he “didn’t pay any notice” to the booing.
On the other hand, US defenceman Zach Werenski remarked: “We anticipated this reaction.”
“It occurred in the last game, it’s a trend in the NHL, and we expected the same when we came here tonight. Of course, we are not fond of it.”
However, Werenski mentioned that it fueled the American players: “We utilized it as motivation to the best of our abilities and managed to secure a victory.”
