Moments after fans at Montreal’s Bell Centre could be heard booing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ ahead of the Team USA vs. Team Canada showdown in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday night, multiple fights broke out between players immediately after the puck was dropped to start play.
As the opening face-off took place, the first donnybrook between Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel took place as both players instantly dropped their gloves for a brawl. Both players were sent to their respective penalty boxes.
On the ensuing face-off, Team USA’s Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett got involved in another dust-up, and both were sent to their respective penalty boxes, with Matthew Tkachuk enthusiastically greeting his brother Brady upon his arrival. The ABC broadcast reported that Brady Tkachuk was calling Bennett out to set up the second scrap while the first fight was being sorted.
The teams weren’t done scrapping. Just nine seconds into the game, Team USA’s J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko dropped mitts and started throwing haymakers after a shot on goal by the U.S.
Team USA was displeased with fans booing the national anthem ahead of its 6-1 win over Finland on Thursday night. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk each scored twice in the rout. After the game, Matthew Tkachuk was critical of fans booing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ saying ‘I didn’t like it, and that’s all I got.’
The negative reactions to ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ came even after the Bell Centre public address announcer asked fans to show respect for the anthems.
Canadian sports fans have been booing the U.S. national anthem since U.S. President Donald Trump made threats regarding import tariffs earlier in February. The Trump administration paused the threat for 30 days for Canada, as well as Mexico, to be hit with 25% tariffs, but the concern over the economic impact remains.
