Canada, U.S. tensions raised the stakes of 4 Nations Championship

A crowd came out to watch the hockey rivalry matchup between Canada and the U.S. at John Max Sports & Wings on Dougall Avenue on Feb. 20, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)

A heated hockey rivalry matchup between Canada and the U.S. had Windsor fans nervously excited about the game.

The two foes met on Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game with tensions high amidst ongoing tariff threats by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Inside John Max Sports & Wings on Dougall Avenue, fans sported the red Maple Leaf, cheering for a monumental win.

“[The rivalry] is always massive, but I think right now with a little bit of the political turmoil going on, I think its got a little bit of a kick to it,” said fan Aidan Moscatello. “I think it does make you want it more because you don’t want to be embarrassed right a lot of talk now on social media you want to always show up.”

Social media talk was abuzz ahead of the match as Trump continued to suggest Canada should become the 51st state.

“I’ll be calling our GREAT American Hockey Team this morning to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada, which with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State,” Trump wrote on social media platform Truth Social.

The rhetoric continues to draw the ire of Canadians, including Dan Primeau.

“That guy can take that comment and put it you know where,” Primeau said. “We’re no 51st state, this is hockey, this is Canada, and you can’t have hockey without us.”