Canada and U.S. hockey teams face off as tensions between the two nations simmer
Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa was abuzz with patriotic fervor when the Minnesota Wild took on the Senators in a National Hockey League bout. Typically, the home team’s anthem is played last, but a day after U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of trade tariffs on imports from Canada, the crowd jeered during the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner". The boos were palpable as Trump had signed an executive order that day, citing a national emergency and imposing additional tariffs on a range of Canadian imports.
Trump had also thrown shade at the idea of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposal for a possible North American border wall, sarcastically suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The situation adds a level of tension between the two countries as they engage in a new phase of competitive sports.
On their current four-game homestand, the Senators hosted American teams, providing an opportunity for Canadian fans to vent their frustration with the state of international relations. The long-awaited 4 Nations tournament between the USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden may provide an outlet for sports fans to rally around their nation and put political tensions aside for the time being.
