NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently addressed the controversy surrounding the booing of the U.S. national anthem and the intense on-ice fights during the USA-Canada game at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Speaking about the incident, Bettman expressed disappointment over the anthem booing, stating that national anthems should be respected regardless of the setting. He acknowledged the long-standing rivalry between the two nations in hockey but emphasized that such gestures do not belong in the sport.
The heated atmosphere at Montreal’s Bell Centre reached a boiling point when three fights erupted within the first nine seconds of play, adding to the tensions fueled by the anthem booing. Players from both teams, including Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, were involved in altercations with their Canadian counterparts. Some players, such as Brad Marchand, criticized the mix of politics and sports, arguing that the anthems should remain a symbol of respect for veterans and those who serve their countries.
While Bettman did not condone the fights, he acknowledged that physicality is part of hockey’s competitive nature, especially in a game as emotionally charged as USA vs. Canada. However, he urged players and fans to keep the focus on the game itself rather than off-ice controversi
es.
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