A rendition of the Canadian national anthem was briefly drowned out by boos from US hockey fans before Thursday night’s 4 Nations final in Boston.
Amid controversy surrounding American president Donald Trump and his threat to impose tariffs on their neighbor country, USA and Canada are set to lock horns on the ice in a heated grudge match at TD Garden.
And ahead of the puck drop, the home supporters packed into the arena were heard booing furiously at the start of a rendition of ‘O Canada’.
However, as the anthem continued the jeers slowly faded out before the visiting fans in attendance could be heard singing proudly.
Earlier in the day Trump sparked a Canadian hockey meltdown when he wished Team USA good luck in a message on X, which was shared by PK Subban – a former NHL star from Canada.
Subban was then furiously criticized by compatriot and fellow hockey player Akim Aliu, who accused him of siding with ‘the oppressor’ in Trump by sharing his post.
The Canadian national anthem was briefly drowned out by boos from US hockey fans in Boston
Aliu, who is Nigerian-born and half-Ukrainian, has previously opened up about the racism he suffered during his career and therefore took aim at the ESPN star, telling him ‘no one liked you’ and warning: ‘History will judge you accordingly’.
‘I’ve watched you from afar and never said anything for two main reasons. 1 being the respect I have for your brothers and parents & 2 I’ve always wanted to keep the in fighting between folks of color to a minimum,’ Aliu wrote.
‘This was something I couldn’t let go – I’ve known you since I was ten years old and played with you so I’d say I know you better than most at a deeper level.
‘You were a hell of a player and instead of using your platform you did everything in your power to gain acceptance and popularity, nothing with you has ever been genuine but transactional and usually for publicity reasons.
‘Even during this most sensitive time both politically and socially you take the side of the oppressor because that’s who you make your money from.
‘I would (have) thought the “love” you have always claimed for your country, a country you represented at the highest levels would shine through to push back on rhetoric of annexation and humiliation of the very land you are born and raised in, but even that doesn’t get you to do the right morally.’
