(Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada had the last laugh on Thursday night, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made sure the U.S. knew it.
In an adrenaline-pumping 4 Nations Face-Off final, Team Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in overtime, thanks to a clutch goal from Connor McDavid. The heated showdown wasn’t just about hockey—it played out against a backdrop of political tension between Trudeau and former President Donald Trump.
Before the game, Trump had reignited a long-running joke about Canada becoming the “51st state,” even referring to Trudeau as the country’s “governor.” But Trudeau wasn’t having it.
“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” he fired off on X just hours before puck drop.
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Hockey, Politics, and National Pride Collide
Tensions had been brewing for weeks. Earlier this month, NHL and NBA fans in Canada loudly booed the U.S. national anthem after Trump announced new tariffs against the country (which have since been put on hold).
That energy spilled onto the ice, with the first U.S.-Canada matchup of the tournament featuring three fights in just nine seconds. The hostility wasn’t just in the crowd—it was in the punches being thrown.
When the rematch in Boston went into overtime, the intensity reached its peak. With fans on the edge of their seats, McDavid netted the game-winner, sending Canadian supporters into a frenzy.
As the Canadians hoisted the 4 Nations trophy, American fans responded with a defiant rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while Canadians drowned them out with their own booming version of “O, Canada.”
One thing’s for sure—this wasn’t just a hockey game. It was a statement.
