Tensions were sky-high before the puck dropped in Boston to signal the start of the Canada-U.S. final at the 4 Nations Face-off.
The ongoing tariff threats made against Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump played a massive role.
What’s more, Trump has for weeks been threatening to turn Canada into America’s 51st state, telling just about anyone who will listen.
He was at it again on Thursday morning.
“(Canada) will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State,” he said on his Truth Social network ahead of wishing the American squad good luck via a phone call to members of the team.
One presumably Canadian fan who has seemingly heard enough opted to pull the old switcheroo outside Boston’s TD Garden with a cheeky homemade sign.
“Welcome to the U.S.A., Canada’s 11th province,” read the sign hoisted by the brave fan in a post shared on social-media site X.
Reaction to the post was predictably swift.
“Will Premier Trump be at the game?” one commenter asked.
“Gotta admire getting in behind enemy lines for the greater good,” another commenter said.
“Buy that awesome Canadian a beer,” another poster said.
Some boos rained down when Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk performed O Canada, but the boos faded and many fans could be heard singing along.
The U.S. national anthem drew major cheers.