Following Canada's 3-1 defeat against the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became the target of online ridicule. The game, held in Montreal, was preceded by Canadian fans booing the American national anthem, an act that sparked immediate on-ice confrontations, with three fights erupting in the first nine seconds.
Trudeau's post-game message on X expressing pride in the Canadian team was met with derision from some American fans. This incident follows a pattern of similar behavior during NHL games, where boos have been directed at the US anthem following trade disputes between the two countries.
Despite understanding the fans' frustrations, Canadian player Drew Doughty advocated for respect for national anthems. US defenseman Zach Werenski also expressed disapproval of the booing, acknowledging that the team anticipated such a reaction based on previous incidents. While the US team used the negativity as motivation for their victory, Werenski reiterated his dislike for the disrespectful display.
The US team also faced boos during their previous game against Finland, which they won decisively 6-1. Werenski confirmed that the team was not surprised by the repeated behavior but used it to fuel their performance.
