President Donald Trump stirred up controversy as he reached out to the US ice hockey team before their highly anticipated showdown against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final. The tension between the two nations spilled over onto the ice in previous clashes, with fights erupting amidst the political animosity brewing between them.
Trump’s Phone Call to the US Hockey Team
In an unexpected turn of events, President Trump dialed up the US hockey team to offer his well wishes before their final game against Canada. A photo shared by USA Hockey on social media captured the moment when general manager Bill Guerin stood in the midst of the locker room, phone in hand. The players, fresh from their morning skate, expressed their gratitude at receiving a call from the President of the United States.
US center JT Miller gushed, “It was so awesome to get his support. It’s a pretty big deal for him to take time out of his schedule to talk to us for five minutes. It’s just another one of those things where we’re kind of pinching ourselves this tournament.” The sentiment was echoed by US defenseman Noah Hanifin, who expressed hope for a win in the final game, both for the country and for Trump.
Tensions and Boos in Montreal
The political undertones of Trump’s call reverberated through Montreal, where fans booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the games in response to the President’s comments about making Canada the 51st state. The taunts reflected the escalating tensions fueled by Trump’s repeated suggestions of Canada joining the US, a notion firmly rebuffed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Despite the divisive rhetoric, the US team remained focused on the game. The US fans at TD Garden in Boston also made their sentiments known by lightly booing “O Canada” before a match against Finland. The on-ice action mirrored the off-ice drama, with the US defeating Canada 3-1 in a fiery match that kicked off with three fights within seconds of the opening puck drop.
As the tournament progressed, the anticipation grew for a potential appearance by Trump at the final game. However, conflicting schedules saw the President tied up at the Republican Governors Association Meeting in Washington. Trump, ever the showman, took to Truth Social to extend his well wishes to both teams, emphasizing the excitement surrounding the upcoming face-off.
In conclusion, Trump’s unexpected involvement in the final game added an extra layer of intrigue to an already heated rivalry. As the players geared up for the showdown on the ice, the political backdrop lent an air of unpredictability to the outcome. The clash between the US and Canada transcended sports, becoming a symbol of the complex relationship between the two nations.