The Bell Centre in Montréal has been the protagonist of multiple hockey plot lines this week. From the 4-Nations Face-off tournament debut to the most recent game between the U.S. and Finland that made history, the Bell Centre stands testament to all. But we aren’t going to get into the nuances of hockey today. We’re here to talk about the controversial tides that have been making news waves.

By now, it is common knowledge that the Star Spangled Banner was booed by the Canadian audience in America’s debut match of the 4-Nations Face-Off. The U.S. players gave the crowd a befitting reply with a hoard of goals amassed against the Finnish. Tit for Tat, but no, it doesn’t end here. In light of the crowd’s behavior, the hockey fraternity has come out in support of the U.S. players and condemned the mob mentality.

That includes the USA’s arch-rivals in hockey, the Canadian players themselves. Chris Johnston, an NHL insider, recently took to X to quote Brad Marchand, the Canadian team’s left winger. “They should not be booing the Americans during that anthem. They have nothing to do with the political things that are going on. I do feel bad for those guys in that moment. I don’t think it’s right.”

Marchand’s stance was simple. Any country’s National Anthem is a tribute to the troops that defend its borders, a hefty sacrifice for the freedom of its citizens. Despite Marchand’s display of sportsmanship and ethics, he became the target of heavy trolling. Factions of fans who have suddenly jumped on the anti-American bandwagon went as far as to say, “Nothing about this punk-ss b-tch is Canadian”.

But Marchand has a valid point. “I mean, the anthems are there as a sign of respect. And because of our veterans and all that they’ve sacrificed, and the entire reason we even get to play this game and have freedom. So for them to be booing that, it’s extremely disrespectful to the veterans, which I don’t agree with at all.”

The key to togetherness – Hockey

Marchand is not alone, though. Captain of the Canadian side of hockey and Marchand’s fellow teammate Sidney Crosby had issued a similar statement that resonates the same underlying message. “I’m not going to get into that. We respect the anthems, and I’ll leave it at that.” While stars of the hockey fraternity continue to drive home the message that political turmoils have no place on the rink, history inevitably keeps repeating itself.

Interestingly enough, the booing of national anthems is not an uncommon phenomenon on either side of the border between the USA and Canada. The recent incident may have sparked widespread outrage, but this is definitely not the first instance. In fact, it has almost become the most sought after display of statement by the public in both these countries.

On the alleged day of the tariff announcement by the U.S. White House, the Minnesota Wild were playing against the Ottawa Senators on Canadian soil. The anthem was booed then in Ottawa and subsequently in Calgary as well. Public dismay was reactionary to the sudden imposition of hefty taxes. The politically motivated sentiment continues to carry forward and cannot be construed as a direct attack on the American players themselves.

Nonetheless, the rivalry between the teams of the sport can be dealt with on the ice rink while political battles are fought amongst governments through policies. While star players can only condone such displays of disrespect by spectators, the integrity of hockey itself is preserved through players’ acts of solidarity regardless of their on-rink rivalry.