Fans in Canada helped fuel the intensity of their team’s first game against Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last week by booing the American national anthem, and Sean McDonough is hoping the insult will not be returned.
The U.S. beat Canada 3-1 in the round robin game between the countries on Saturday in Montreal. Fans booed loudly during the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to puck drop. You can see a video here.
McDonough will be the lead announcer for Thursday night’s 4 Nations Face-Off final between Canada and the U.S. That game will be played at TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
During a Tuesday appearance on WEEI in Boston, McDonough urged American fans to be respectful when the Canadian national anthem is played.
“I hope the home crowd has a lot to do with it. I hope it helps spur on Team USA. I really hope our people don’t boo the anthem, you know. Let’s be better than that,” McDonough said. “I think we all have a lot of respect for what a great country Canada is. … The booing of the anthem is a very recent development. I think we know why. I understand it from their perspective, especially having been up there for several days. Let’s be better than that and be respectful of their anthem and cheer like hell for our own.”
There has been increased tension between Canadian and American fans because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs against Canada and talk of having the country become 51st U.S. state. Team USA general manager Bill Guerin appreciates the “political flare” Trump has added to the 4 Nations Face-Off and is hoping Trump will attend Thursday night’s game.
Three fights broke out during the first 9 seconds of the round robin matchup between the U.S. and Canada. Fans absolutely loved it.
It remains to be seen if fans in Boston will boo the Canadian anthem, but the rematch will likely be just as intense as the first game either way.
