Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates with Team USA forward Auston Matthews (34) his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Team USA Fired Up After Montreal Crowd Boos National Anthem at 4 Nations Face-Off

Amid anthem controversy, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk prepare for their biggest game yet, with Canadian players urging fans to show respect.

Team USA was met with a hostile reception at Bell Centre as boos rang out during The Star-Spangled Banner ahead of their opening game at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The moment only heightened tensions before their highly anticipated clash with host nation Canada on Saturday night.

“I didn’t like it, And that’s all I’ve got.” American forward Matthew Tkachuk said after Thursday’s 6-1 win over Finland.

The NHL had anticipated the possibility of such a reaction, especially after American fans experienced similar jeers during a Devils-Canadiens game last week. League officials had hoped the situation would cool down after U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily delayed his proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods. However, tensions escalated again when Trump not only reintroduced the tariff on steel and aluminum imports but also commented on the possibility of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state.

“It’s unfortunate, obviously, and we wish it wasn’t the case, But from time to time things happen and people have strong feelings about it. Obviously, we’re aware of what’s been happening here,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters Wednesday.

With the regulation win, Team USA currently has the most points in the 4 Nations Face-Off 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NYfp5LW0Pq
— ESPN (@espn) February 14, 2025

Ahead of Team USA’s game against Finland on Thursday, Bell Centre’s public address announcer, Michel Lacroix, encouraged fans to respect the national anthems in the spirit of sportsmanship. Despite the appeal, a loud crowd still jeered during the American anthem. Cameras captured Matthew Tkachuk visibly frustrated on the bench as some fans attempted to drown out the boos with cheers.

For the U.S. players, the moment stirred a mix of emotions. While the reaction frustrated some, forward J.T. Miller saw it as an opportunity to channel that energy into extra motivation on the ice.

The intense atmosphere at Bell Centre is only adding to the anticipation for Saturday’s Canada-USA showdown. Matthew Tkachuk told Sportsnet that he’s been dreaming about this game for nine years, while his brother Brady called it the biggest game of his life. Amid the tensions, some Canadian players, including Brad Marchand, have urged the home crowd to show respect and refrain from booing the American anthem.

Image Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

4 Nations Face-Off

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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!