In a shocking display of anti-American sentiment, hockey fans in Montreal loudly booed the U.S. national anthem prior to Team USA’s opening game against Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The hostile reception came despite pleas from the arena announcer to show respect, underscoring simmering tensions between the two North American neighbors.
The jeering began as soon as the first notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” echoed through the Bell Centre on Thursday night. Audible boos and whistles nearly drowned out the anthem singer as the American flag was unfurled on the ice. Players on both teams appeared surprised by the fans’ brazen disrespect for their national song.
Anthem Controversy Mars Tournament Kickoff
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had tried to get ahead of any potential controversy a day earlier, urging fans to “bring people together” through their shared love of hockey. But his hopes were dashed by the ugly scene that played out as the puck was about to drop on the international competition.
Our goal is to make sure that we create an environment and that hockey represents an opportunity to bring people together, and I think people understand that,
Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
The boos subsided for the playing of Finland’s national anthem, making clear this was a targeted affront to the United States. It’s the latest flare-up in what has become an increasingly contentious relationship between the U.S. and Canada, exacerbated by trade disputes and President Donald Trump’s combative rhetoric toward America’s northern ally.
Rising U.S.-Canada Tensions Boil Over
While some Canadians have taken to booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” as a form of protest in recent years, the behavior had largely been limited to a few rogue individuals or small pockets of fans – until now. The coordinated booing by a large swath of the crowd in Montreal represents a worrying escalation in the ongoing spat between the two countries.
It also puts the NHL in an awkward position, as the league attempts to grow the game globally and foster goodwill between participating nations. The disrespect shown to the U.S. flag and anthem risks alienating American fans and players, while potentially souring international relations both on and off the ice.
Matthews Targeted in Pre-Game Ceremony
The anti-American sentiment spilled over to the pregame introductions, where U.S. captain Auston Matthews was roundly booed each time he was shown on the video screens or mentioned by the P.A. announcer. The young Maple Leafs star seemed to take the hostile reception in stride, but it clearly struck a nerve with his teammates.
“Obviously you don’t want to have that happen to your captain, or any of your players,” said forward Patrick Kane after the game. “We’re all proud to wear the red, white and blue, and that means showing respect for our flag and our anthem. To hear that kind of disrespect fired us up even more to go out there and get the win.”
Questions Linger as Tournament Unfolds
As the 4 Nations Face-Off moves forward, the furor over the anthem incident threatens to overshadow the on-ice action. Will the Montreal crowd continue their anti-U.S. antics in upcoming games? Could fans in other Canadian cities follow suit and voice their displeasure with their southern neighbors?
For NHL officials, the focus now turns to damage control and defusing tensions as best they can. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly expressed hope that “negativity has lessened” in recent days and that “relations will be normal” between the U.S. and Canada as the tournament progresses. But after Thursday night’s fireworks, it’s clear there is still much work to be done to repair the rift between these once-close allies – both in the stands and in the geopolitical arena.
As the old saying goes, sports often mirrors society. And if the boos raining down on the U.S. anthem in Montreal are any indication, the chill in U.S.-Canada relations shows no signs of thawing anytime soon. For the proud American players standing on the blue line, the only way to silence their critics is to make their play do the talking and bring home the 4 Nations trophy for the red, white and blue.