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Topic:Ice Hockey
America's JT Miller and Canada's Colton Parayko come to blows in the earlier clash between the two teams. (Getty Images: Minas Panagiotakis)
President Donald Trump called the US ice hockey team ahead of their clash with Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
The previous games between the two team saw several fights break out as political tensions build between the two nations.
The final between the US and Canada begins about 12.20pm (AEDT) today in Boston.
President Donald Trump called the US hockey team on Thursday to wish players good luck ahead of their 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada.
USA Hockey posted a photo on social media showing general manager Bill Guerin standing in the middle of the locker room holding up a phone.
Players after their morning skate called it an honour to hear from Trump.
"It was so awesome to get his support," US centre JT Miller said.
"It's a pretty big deal for him to take time out of his schedule to talk to us for five minutes. It's just another one of those things where we're kind of pinching ourselves this tournament."
US defenceman Noah Hanifin said, "hopefully we can get the win tonight for our country and for Trump."
Trump posted on Truth Social he would be watching, saying he hoped the US would beat Canada, and again repeating his desire that the country would become America's 51st state.
Fans in Montreal booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to games there as tensions rise over Trump's 51st state comments and tariff threats.
Repeatedly since being inaugurated, Trump has pushed the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state as part of his trade dispute with the country. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that will never happen.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked Thursday about Trump and hockey and said the president would be "watching for the United States to win".
("Members of the US team) were jubilant over President Trump's comments to the team," Leavitt said.
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"I believe they're going to put out a video of that call. So, he looks forward to watching the game tonight. And we look forward to the United States beating our soon to be 51st state Canada."
When the tournament shifted to Boston, US fans at TD Garden lightly booed "O Canada" before a Monday afternoon game against Finland.
The US beat Canada 3-1 in the teams' round-robin match-up Saturday night, a game that started with three fights in the first nine seconds.
Matthew Tkachuk, who started the first fight, said the anthem booing had nothing to do with the decision for him, brother Brady and Miller to drop the gloves.
Guerin on Fox News earlier this week said the US would welcome Trump to be in attendance for the final.
Trump had a prior commitment, speaking at the Republican Governors Association Meeting in Washington.
Referring to wanting Canada to become the 51st US state, Trump said on Truth Social: "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!"
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