Amid all the back-and-forth between the United States and Canada, perhaps it was only fitting that the two North American neighbors met in primetime Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
“A lot of stuff going on with Canada and the USA right now, and us playing against each other was kind of a perfect storm for our sport,” Canada and Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon said after the game, according to ESPN. “It was much more popular than even we would have imagined. It was getting so much attention from our whole continent.”
That “perfect storm” resulted in perhaps one of the most celebrated hockey games in quite some time, with the Canadians ultimately prevailing in overtime against America, 3-2.
Rivalries aside, it provided the type of entertainment that those involved in the contest hope can help fuel a new generation of fans.
“I hope [the new fans] love it,” said Canada hero Connor McDavid, who scored the game-winning goal, per ESPN. “It’s a great game, it’s a great sport and I hope we put on a good show these last couple days and gained some fans, ultimately. You can’t ask for a better show than that.”
Arguably the most memorable hockey game in popular culture was the United States’ upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics in what is known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
That game happened in the backdrop of the Cold War, intensifying the ramifications of the game.
The United States and Canada are not engaging in a Cold War at this time, but it’s certainly fair to say that the relations between the countries right now is chilly.
President Donald Trump has consistently mentioned a hope to add Canada as the 51st state, much to the northern country’s chagrin, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not appreciate tariffs being imposed against his country, although they have since been delayed.
Trump has also referred to Trudeau as “governor.”
Such actions led to Canadian fans booing the United States national anthem during the games north of the border, and some U.S. fans booed during “O Canada.”
Trump called the U.S. team before Thursday’s tilt and again hit on the 51st state message.
“I’ll be calling our GREAT American Hockey Team this morning to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada, which with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I will be speaking before the Governors tonight in D.C., and will sadly, therefore, be unable to attend. But we will all be watching, and if Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome. Good luck to everybody and have a GREAT game tonight. So exciting!”
Those remarks led to Thursday’s “O Canada” singer, Chantal Kreviazuk, changing the lyrics from “in all of us command” to “that only us command.”
And once Canada rallied for the win, tying the game at 2-all in the second period before McDavid won the game in overtime, Trudeau did not miss his chance to strike back.
“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” he posted to X, the platform owned by Trump confidant Elon Musk.
The political drama helped create a memorable tournament that perhaps can be the starting point of something great.
“I think guys that are at home watching this, I’m hoping they’re wanting a piece of it,” U.S. forward and Red Wings star Dylan Larkin said, per ESPN. “This grew the game really well, but I hope it pushes guys to want a piece of this and then the next generation that got to watch this, they’re going to watch the Olympics next year and hopefully there’s a different outcome.”
