NHL exec hopes Canadians avoid 'unfortunate situation' of booing US national anthem ahead of rivalry game

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The USA-Canada rivalry on the ice is a longstanding one, but the rivalry appears to have gone political.

The bordering countries will take the ice Saturday night in Montreal for the 4 Nations Face-Off, the first time the two countries have played against each other in a best-on-best format since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

When Team USA faced Finland Thursday night in Canada, the crowd was anti-U.S., booing the American players and, later, the national anthem despite the public address announcer pleading with fans to respect both anthems.

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Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk celebrates a goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off game at Bell Centre.  (David Kirouac/Imagn Images)

"I think it’s obviously an unfortunate situation. I don’t think anybody likes when anthems are booed or disrespected in any way, and certainly we count ourselves among that group," Bill Daly, the NHL's deputy commissioner, told Bloomberg's "Business of Sports" podcast.

A rivalry is a rivalry, but tensions between Canadians and the United States are high after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods imported from the north. He also said Canada could become the "51st state."

Raptors and Senators fans also booed the "Star-Spangled Banner" earlier this month when American teams visited Toronto and Ottawa. Vancouver Canucks announcer John Shorthouse even joked that a penalty would be 2½ minutes because of the 25% tariffs.

Charlie McAvoy (25), Jake Guentzel (59), Zach Werenski (8), Auston Matthews (34) and Jack Hughes (86) of the United States stand at their blue line