Canadian hockey fans travel to U.S. with mixed feelings to support NHL teams

Mark Jarry has cut as many American goods as possible from his personal spending.

The middle-aged man from the South Shore of Montreal also stopped taking regular trips south of the Canadian border after U.S. President Donald Trump was elected to a second term and threatened to make Canada the 51st state.

That changed when Jarry's beloved Montreal Canadiens entered the NHL playoffs.

Jarry and fellow dyed-in-the-wool fan Gabriel Borduas flew to Washington for Game 1 of the Canadiens' first-round series against the Capitals on Monday.

"We came here because it's the Canadiens," said Jarry in French while decked in a Canadiens jersey at Capital One Arena. "At a certain point, the heart wins over reason."

Montreal is one of five Canadian teams competing in the playoffs this spring, joining Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

Jarry and Borduas say following the Canadiens is a ritual during the playoffs. They've travelled to several American cities over the years and didn't want to miss the latest chance to support their team on the road — even if it meant voyaging to the U.S. capital amid the current political tensions.

The two friends, however, hesitated greatly before booking their flights.

"I'd say there's a bit of guilt, because right now we want to stick together [in Canada]," Jarry said. "Clearly, our feelings are different. It's kind of like a divorce."

"We don't support the American government, we have nothing against American citizens."

Trump's rhetoric about annexing Canada — and the severe tariffs he has levied against the country — has sparked booing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in arenas and stadiums across Canadian professional sports. Wayne Gretzky's ties to Trump have also stirred debate over The Great