Canada vs. U.S. hockey rivalry intensifies amid Trump’s taunts

Tensions rise as Canada and the U.S. face off in NHL Four Nations final.

Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team USA brawls with Brandon Hagel #38 of Team Canada during the first period of the 4 Nations Face-Off game at Bell Centre on February 15, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Adila Ghina

The long-standing hockey rivalry between Canada and the United States has taken on a political edge as tensions rise ahead of the NHL Four Nations Face-Off final. Amid taunts from former U.S. President Donald Trump about making Canada a U.S. state, emotions are running high on and off the ice.

For many Canadians, hockey is more than a sport—it is a national identity. But with Trump openly mocking Canada’s sovereignty, the stakes of Thursday’s final in Boston have escalated beyond the game itself.

"We hear the comments. We feel like we're being mocked," said Cedric Bernard, a recreational hockey player in Montreal. Standing on the ice with pucks scattered around his skates, he added, "Our way of honoring ourselves as Canadians is to win at hockey."

Canada seeks revenge after heated opening-round loss

The U.S. defeated Canada 3-1 in the opening round last Saturday, but both teams advanced to the final after eliminating Finland and Sweden. Now, Canada is seeking payback.

Saturday’s match was anything but peaceful, with three fights breaking out in the first nine seconds. Many linked the aggressive start to the political tensions between the two nations.

The first brawl was sparked by U.S. winger Matthew Tkachuk, who was angered by Canadian fans in Montreal booing the American national anthem. The protest has become increasingly common at sporting events in Canada since Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on Canadian imports.

Dan Guiry, a stand-up comic and bartender in Toronto, recalled his reaction to the intense atmosphere at the game. "You want to go to war? Let's do this!" he said.

Guiry, 40, believes the drama on the ice mirrors the broader shock to Canada’s political landscape since Trump’s election. Many Canadians had assumed their relationship with the United States was stable, but Trump’s trade war threats and verbal jabs at Canadian sovereignty have been a "wake-up call."

"We've got to wake the heck up as a country and as a hockey team," Guiry added.

A political clash bigger than the Summit Series

Before Saturday’s match, a Toronto Star op-ed declared that the Canada-U.S. rivalry "is more than a game, and more political than the Summit Series ever was."

The 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union was a defining moment in hockey history, shaped by Cold War tensions. Canadians were stunned when the Soviets won the opening game 7-3, but Canada ultimately won the series in a dramatic finish.

While the Summit Series was politically charged, Star columnist Bruce Arthur argued that the current climate is different. "There was never really a question of whether Canada would cease to exist," he wrote.

"Today, however, the United States has become a threat to our way of life. The hockey game's big," Arthur continued.

Serge Savard, a legendary Montreal Canadiens player and a member of Canada’s Summit Series team, understands the outrage over Trump’s comments.

"When we're told we should be the 51st state and that someone is going to annex Canada, these are insulting words," Savard said.

However, he criticized Canadian fans for booing the U.S. national anthem. "The flag and the anthem, regardless of the country, is something sacred," he added.

Will Trump attend the final in Boston?

Thursday’s final will be held in Boston, where the 20,000-seat arena will be packed with American fans. U.S. team general manager Bill Guerin has expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of Trump attending.

"I'd love it if President Trump was in attendance," he said.

Even if Trump does not attend, he is already making his presence felt in Canadian hockey circles. Two of the sport’s most celebrated players, Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr, have both voiced support for Trump in the past.

Gretzky attended Trump’s Mar-a-Lago victory party after the 2016 election, and Trump later suggested that the hockey icon could become "governor" of a U.S.-annexed Canada.

Orr, who resides in the U.S., publicly endorsed Trump in a full-page newspaper ad ahead of the 2020 election.

Both Gretzky and Orr have remained silent on Trump’s recent remarks about Canada, a decision that has drawn criticism in Canadian media.

Days before Trump’s inauguration, The Globe and Mail published a scathing editorial questioning their silence.

"Trump is treating Canada—historic friend, great trading partner, ally in war and peace—like an enemy," the article read. "Are you, our two greatest hockey legends, going to speak out and stand up for Canada, or will you remain silent?"

A game with national pride on the line

As Canada and the United States prepare for their rematch in Boston, the game has become more than just a battle for a championship. For many Canadians, it is an opportunity to push back against Trump’s rhetoric and defend their national pride.

With tensions high and political undertones shaping the matchup, the Four Nations final promises to be one of the most emotionally charged games in recent history.