It could be payback time! But who will be on the receiving end, and what kind of payback are we talking about? Well, truth be told, the possibilities are endless. But one thing’s for sure: the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game will be a stage to settle scores. And not just for the players on the ice, as fans in Brad Marchand‘s NHL home may also want to make their presence felt.

In fact, they already did when Canada took on Finland a few hours ago. While the Canadians pulled off a 5-3 victory in regular time, some fans in Boston’s TD Garden could be heard booing the Canadian national anthem in what seemed like payback to the booing of the Star-Spangled Banner in Montreal. And now with Canada set to the U.S. in the latter’s territory, Brad Marchand and co. may receive a similar, if not a more intense, reception from U.S. fans.

In a YouTube upload by the official Bruins account from February 17, Brad talked about how the Canadians could face a steep challenge for the final game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Considering how Team USA was booed heavily in Montreal in the first portion of the round-robin tournament, this could be the time when the American fans get one back.

But Marchand? He isn’t much bothered by the possibility of being booed in his NHL home. Instead, he even took the opportunity to throw a subtle dig at the Americans. “I haven’t thought about it but um you know might happen. They’ve been booed everywhere, so not too worried about it,” said the Boston Bruins star with a meek smile.

During the conversation, the Nova Scotia native also said that the 4 Nations has been an incredible journey. “…it’s been a lot of fun. It goes by very quick, but I think the pace of these games is incredible,” Marchand said, “I think the fans are really understanding that you put teams like this together, it’s not a showcase. Guys are out to play for they’re out for blood and they’re out to win and they take a tremendous amount of pride.” And he is right. The teams, indeed, are out for blood, and Thursday may not be too different either if Saturday’s game was any indication of things.

Brad Marchand has reasons to brace himself

When the hockey neighbors locked horns at Bell Centre last Saturday, Team USA and its national anthem were booed heavily by the Canadian fans. But that wasn’t the first time that J.T. Miller and his teammates faced such a harsh reception from the crowds. During the USA’s first match in the tourney against Finland on February 13 too, same scenes unfolded. Right after the bitter treatment from the crowd in the first match, Matthew had noted that he “didn’t like it,“ while his sibling refused to comment on the matter altogether. Perhaps, it was a tick that the American players itched to address when they got the opportunity.

So when the US and the folks from the other side of the border faced each other for their second game in the 4 Nations Face-Off, it was no holds barred. Seconds into the game, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, and J.T. Miller had already thrown off their gloves and gotten embroiled in three separate slugfests with  Brandon Hagel, Sam Bennett, and Colton Parayko. It was evident that neither of the teams were going to cede ground easily.

It was later revealed that the Tkachuk brothers and Miller had pre-planned to instigate three separate fights for Saturday’s game via social media group texts. And it worked out, too! Connor McDavid‘s first-period goal went in vain as Team USA won the match 3-1.

But can Brad Marchand and Canada avenge their defeat on Thursday? How do you think the squad will come up with a way to tackle the pressure? Tell us in a comment below!