Former President Donald Trump announced his intention to contact the U.S. men's hockey team prior to their championship game against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. This rematch follows a contentious initial game over the weekend.
Trump shared his plans on Truth Social, indicating he would offer encouragement to the team while also taking another playful jab at Canada. He expressed his desire for Canada to become the 51st state, citing lower taxes and enhanced security as potential benefits. However, due to a prior engagement with governors in Washington D.C., Trump stated he would be unable to attend the game in person, but extended an invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to join him in watching.
The previous game between the two teams was marked by heated moments, beginning with Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem. This led to several immediate fights on the ice involving players from both sides. Despite the initial tension, the U.S. emerged victorious with a 3-1 win.
The rivalry between players Matthew Tkachuk (USA) and Brandon Hagel (Canada) has added further fuel to the fire. Tkachuk revealed that he, his brother Brady, and teammate J.T. Miller had pre-planned the on-ice altercation via group chat. Hagel retorted, emphasizing that he fought for his country, not for attention, and subtly jabbed at the U.S. team by mentioning that Canadian players don't utilize group chats. Tkachuk responded with a playful dig, suggesting that perhaps the Canadian team lacked camaraderie.
