Canada gets last laugh over Trump and USA with overtime hockey win
With tensions between the two countries at boiling point amid Donald Trump's threat to make their neighbors America's '51st state', Canada got one over on the president after toppling USA in Boston.
Canada's hockey stars earned the country bragging rights over Donald Trump after sealing a dramatic overtime win against USA in Thursday's 4 Nations final.
With tensions between the two countries at boiling point following Trump's recent threats to impose tariffs on their neighbors, Canada got one over on the American president by claiming the championship on US soil in Boston.
After a hard-fought 2-2 draw in regulation time, the visitors clinched a famous win in the extra period thanks to superstar centre Connor McDavid, who powered the all-important winner past American goalie Connor Hellebuyck and into the net at 8:18 of overtime.
McDavid scored from close range to seal the most satisfying of victories for Canada in a final with added intensity amid Trump's tariff threats and talk of making them the 51st US state.
Nathan MacKinnon and Sam Bennett also scored for Canada. Goaltender Jordan Binnington made 25 saves in the first three periods and six more in overtime on the same ice where he helped the St. Louis Blues win the Stanley Cup five years ago.
Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson scored for the Americans, while Hellebuyck stopped 22 shots in regulation and three more in OT before McDavid's winner.
Canada earned a crucial overtime victory in Thursday's 4 Nations final against USA
Tensions between the two nations were at boiling point amid Donald Trump's threats to Canada
The rivalry between the neighboring countries turned sour heading into Thursday's final amid the controversy surrounding Trump, who also referred to Justin Trudeau as 'governor' in a brutal swipe at the Canadian prime minister ahead of the hockey showdown.
Yet after McDavid's game-winning overtime goal, Trudeau couldn't resist a dig at Trump, posting: 'You can't take our country and you can't take our game' in English and in Quebecois French.
While some congratulated Trudeau on Canada's victory, many slammed the prime minister for his response.
'You won a hockey game. You lost your country. You can’t fool anyone with distractions. Hockey games don’t buy you a home, lower taxes, generate jobs, improve the dollar and reduce crime. Call an election Mr hockey,' wrote one.
Multiple people asked the governor: 'Didn't you resign?'
'You can't hockey your way out of this Justin,' added another.
One more joked: '500% tariffs, and we're going to take your land by force.'
Before the puck drop in Boston, American fans were heard booing the Canadian national anthem in a clear show of support for their president.
US supporters packed into the arena were heard jeering furiously when Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk began her rendition of 'O Canada', only to slowly quieten down as she continued.
The visiting fans in attendance could eventually be heard singing along proudly, before the Star Spangled Banner was performed to a huge ovation.
While the boos initially drowned out her voice, Kreviazuk was accused of 'butchering' the lyrics to the Canadian anthem by fans on social media, who brutally declared it 'the worst rendition ever'.
During her performance, the songwriter changed the famous line 'in all of us command' to 'that only us command,' suggesting that Trump had better stay out.Â
However, a representative for Kreviazuk told the CBC that the switch was done on purpose in response to the US president.
Fans had already slammed the rendition online, blasting it as one of the worst they'd heard.Â
'That might be the worst Canadian anthem I've heard... Wow. I'm sure she was nervous but messing up lyrics multiple times in the first sentence is crazy,' one wrote on X.
'That singer that sang the Canadian anthem, is from Canada... Why didn't she know the lyrics ??,' another asked.
'I dont know it, obviously, but it lowkey sounded like the woman singing the canadian anthem was singing like she was only about 70% sure she knew the lyrics lol,' a third added.Â