USA-Canada rivalry at an all-time high ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off

By: Kaiden Brayshaw

Continent-wide trade negotiations have spilled into sports, with fans booing The Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada ahead of select NHL and NBA games.

Since Feb. 1, NHL fans in Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg and more have booed during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner before games. Fans of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors also booed their neighbours to the south ahead of their home game vs the Los Angeles Clippers.

Fans in Nashville reciprocated the boos before the Feb. 3 Predators game against the Ottawa Senators.

Predators forward and Canadian, Jonathan Marchessault, believes the boos are unwarranted. "The anthem is not made for making political views. It's made for respecting the veterans in all countries,” he said.

Amidst the trade war, the NHL is set to pause from Feb. 10-Feb. 21, for the first ever 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

At least one game will be played between the US and Canadian national teams during the tournament. On Feb. 15, the Canadians will host the Americans in Montreal. The game will be the first between the two hockey powerhouses to include NHL players since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. 

Storied rivalry aside, only time will tell how the off-ice negotiations and fan antics influence tournament play.