They booed, then they cheered.
But it was the boos people will be talking about.
Two days after Ottawa Senators fans let loose with a chorus of boos during the American national anthem prior to a game against the Minnesota Wild at Canadian Tire Centre, O Canada got some boos Monday in Nashville. For what it’s worth, the fans cheered at the end of the anthem.
Maybe the booing will stop at least for a few weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump had announced over the weekend he would be imposing 25-percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico as of Tuesday. But Monday, it was announced the plan would be paused for a month, with Canada agreeing to put in place a $1.3-billion border enhancement plan and increased frontline personnel to strengthen security on the U.S. boundary.
Canada, the cheering was loud, with a lot of people singing along.
On Sunday, before a game between the Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers in Toronto, fans loudly booed the Star Spangled Banner, then cheered the singer when she finished.
The booing sends a message, though it might be a bit misguided – on both sides.
The Senators have three more games in the U.S. this week; they’re in Tampa Bay Tuesday and Thursday, then they have a game in Sunrise Saturday, against the Florida Panthers.