Canadian Anthem Booing Continues at 4 Nations Face-Off, US Fans Respond with Patriotic Fervor

The 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament has been marred by a continuation of Canadian national anthem booing, culminating in a fervent display of patriotism from American fans in Boston on Monday, The Associated Press reports.

The events appear to be a tit-for-tat response to jeering of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the tournament’s opening rounds in Montreal last week.

During Monday’s afternoon game in Boston, the Canadian national anthem, “O Canada,” was met with audible boos, albeit somewhat subdued, from the crowd. The Canadian team received a mixed reception during player introductions, with the exception of Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, who was greeted with cheers. The Finnish team was met with silence.

Prior to the playing of the anthems, the public address announcer appealed for respect, asking the crowd to “kindly respect the national anthems and the players that represent each country.” While many fans in Canadian jerseys sang along, the boos were still noticeable.

The atmosphere dramatically shifted for the evening game between the United States and Sweden. Donning red, white, and blue, American fans unleashed a powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” reaching a volume not heard since the Boston Bruins took to the ice following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Garden troubadour Todd Angilly’s rendition was met with a resounding “U-S-A!” chant.

While no specific reason was given for why Canadians were booing the US anthem, it mirrors a recent trend observed at NHL and NBA games in Canada, reportedly sparked by President Donald Trump’s past remarks regarding potentially making Canada “the 51st state” and threats of tariffs against the country.

Despite the off-ice controversy, the Canadian team secured a 5-3 victory over Finland, earning a spot in Thursday night’s finals against the United States.