In the recent 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held at Montreal's Bell Centre, Canadian spectators expressed their disapproval by booing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Team USA's matchups against Finland and Canada. This reaction has been linked to political tensions arising from U.S. policies affecting Canada.

U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski addressed the crowd's reaction following the team's 3-1 victory over Canada. "We knew it was going to happen," Werenski commented. "It happened the last game, it's been happening in the NHL before this, and we knew tonight was going to be the same way. We obviously don't like it." Despite the hostile environment, Werenski noted that the team used the negative energy as motivation to secure their win.

The booing persisted even after public address announcer Michel Lacroix requested the audience to respect the national anthems and the players representing each country. The reaction has been partly attributed to political tensions, including recent U.S. policy decisions affecting Canada.

Other Team USA members shared their perspectives on the incident. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck mentioned that he "paid no attention to" the booing, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the game. Forward Matthew Tkachuk, who scored two goals in the 6-1 win against Finland, succinctly expressed his displeasure, stating, "I didn't like it, and that's all I got."

The tournament highlighted the intense rivalry between the U.S. and Canadian hockey teams, with political undertones adding to the charged atmosphere. Despite the external distractions, Team USA remained focused and delivered strong performances, underscoring their resilience and commitment to the sport.

As the tournament progresses, both teams and fans are reminded of the importance of sportsmanship and respect, both on and off the ice.