The 4 Nations Face-Off final between the United States and Canada has captured the minds of hockey fans everywhere, and the buzz officially reached the White House.
USA Hockey announced that President Donald Trump had called to wish the team luck ahead of Thursday night’s game in Boston. It’s happening just five days after the United States beat Canada, 3-1, in a round-robin matchup in Montreal that began with three fights in nine seconds. The fights came after Canadian fans booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” when both countries’ national anthems were played before the opening faceoff.
Political tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been inflamed by Trump’s recent threats of implementing tariffs against Canadian imports and his desire to make Canada the 51st state of the United States. Trump referenced the latter, and included a jab at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when he wrote on social media that he would be calling Team USA ahead of their rematch with Canada.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF FINALS:Predictions, odds, channel for USA hockey vs. Canada
“I’ll be calling our GREAT American Hockey Team this morning to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada, which with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday morning. “I will be speaking before the Governors tonight in D.C., and will sadly, therefore, be unable to attend. But we will all be watching, and if Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome. Good luck to everybody, and have a GREAT game tonight. So exciting!”
The unanticipated intensity on and off the ice has generated international attention for this first-year event created by the NHL in place of the All-Star Game. Anticipation for USA vs. Canada has been building ever since the rematch was set earlier this week, including speculation about whether Trump might be in attendance at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night.
Trump has attended several major sporting events since returning to the White House in January, including the Super Bowl and Daytona 500 earlier this month. Trump is also involved in talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf about a potential merger in professional golf.
USA General Manager Bill Guerin said on Monday the United States team “would love it if President Trump was in attendance. We have a room full of proud American players and coaches and staff. Listen, we’re just trying to represent our country the best way we can.”
For now, they’ll have to settle for a phone call. Maybe a White House visit with Trump will be in their future with another win over Canada on Thursday.
The final will be available to watch on Sling, Fubo and ESPN+.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
