The confrontation of clashes of the 4 nations of the United States and Canada on Saturday night quickly became a fight, since multiple players threw gloves after booing during “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
The Americans defeated Canada, 3-1, at the Bell Center in Montreal, but the American defense Zach Werenski was not happy with the boo during the national anthem. In the NHL, the boos have been heard during the song after Trump announced tariffs on Canada, which since then they have stopped. The president has also caused the Canadians with the idea that Canada becomes the “State 51”.
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The US team striker Matthew Tkachuk, on the right, celebrates his goal with the defense Zach Werenski during the game of the Finland team in Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, on February 13, 2025. (Images of David Kirouac-Imagn)
Even so, the boos have been heard.
“We knew it was going to happen,” said Werenski. “The last game happened, it has been happening in the NHL before this, and we knew that tonight was going to be in the same way. We obviously don’t like it.”
The United States faced Boos before his game against Finland and then won 6-1.
“It’s what it is,” said Werenski. “We had an idea. We used it as motivation how best we could and found a way to get a victory. But we had an idea, so it wasn’t a surprise. I definitely don’t like it, although.”
Saturday’s game saw three fights occurring in the first nine seconds.
Canada fans, with Trudeau present, again Boo ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ before the game vs. United States despite recoil
Brandon Hagel and Matthew Tkachuk of Canada from the United States fight during their 4 -nations confrontation game in Montreal on Saturday, February 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press through AP)
Matthew Tkachuk fought against Brandon Hagel in the initial confrontation, his brother Brady fought with Sam Bennett and Jt Miller fought against Colton Parayko. Brady Tkachuk told ESPN that his brother’s fight “happened quite organically.”
“Matthew said he wanted to go first, it just happened and now it’s over,” he said. “It’s just when Matthew discovered the initial alignment, he said he wanted a piece of him (Hagel).”
Hagel added that he thought it was a “long time” between him and Matthew Tkachuk.
Conor McDavid began the score for Canada, but the United States responded with a goal by Jake Guentzel. Dylan Larkin scored in the second period to take the lead. Guentzel then put an empty network.
Brandon Hagel de Canada fights with Matthew Tkachuk of the United States in Montreal on Saturday, February 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes // The Canadian press through AP)
“It’s amazing, the atmosphere, playing at this stage in Canada, which was great for all of us, I think,” Guentzel added. “There is a lot of emotion of our team that goes out for the warm -up and we only see how packing it was. That was quite special.”
