Feb 1, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) screens Minnesota Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson (32) on a shot from Senators right wing Claude Giroux (28) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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Canadian Fans Boo ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ During NHL game of Ottawa Senators vs Minnesota Wild

Ottawa hockey fans voice frustration over US tariffs, booing the anthem during Senators vs. Wild game amid growing trade tensions.

Canadians are unhappy with the new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Saturday, Trump signed an order introducing hefty tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, sparking immediate backlash and igniting a trade war. The move includes a 10% duty on energy imports from Canada, such as oil, natural gas, and electricity, and a 25% tariff on other Canadian and Mexican goods.

A reminder: in the past, when a singer's mic cut out during the U.S. National Anthem at a hockey game in Canada, the entire arena stepped in, singing every single word of the Star Spangled Banner together.

Tonight, thanks to Trump, Canada is booing during the National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/y8p9WNVaw3
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) February 2, 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the decision, saying it would divide the two nations rather than bring them together. In response, Canada announced matching 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods, including alcohol and fruit.

The frustration isn’t just among politicians. Hockey fans in Ottawa voiced their discontent at the Ottawa Senators game against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. During the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” some fans loudly booed, especially toward the end of the anthem, though others cheered.

According to local journalist Bruce Garrioch, the booing began as the anthem started, quieted down midway, but grew louder as it ended. However, when the Canadian national anthem followed, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause.

Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

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Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!