Canada vs. USA Notebook: National pressure, anthem boos, Marchand chirps

MONTREAL — A row of American dudes invading a Canadian rink were all decked out in Stars and Stripes, their bellies full of real beer guzzled for 70 cents on the dollar.

Giant eagles splayed across their identical T-shirts as they savoured their county’s 6-1 beatdown of Finland Thursday night from the nose-bleeders.

A “We! Want Can-a-da!” chant began to swell.

They were already dreaming two nights ahead, to the main event.

Canada versus the States on a Saturday in Montreal.

Canada-United States renew rivalry at 4 Nations Face-Off on Sportsnet

Canada and the U.S. will go head-to-head in best-on-best Saturday night at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal. Watch the game on Sportsnet starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

Full broadcast schedule

Feels a touch like Christmas morning, doesn’t it? If Christmas went on hiatus for 10 years or so.

“A couple decades ago, U.S.-Canada probably wasn’t a big deal. But because the progression of USA Hockey in the last 20 years has really propelled them to the forefront of hockey,” Team Canada coach Jon Cooper says, it is kinda a big deal.

Same goes for Sweden-Finland, an undercard here but broadcast in prime time where it matters.

“It’s going to be a ton of fun,” Cooper says. “To quote Bob Johnson: A great day for hockey.”

Drew Doughty can’t even remember if Canada and States faced off in round-robin action at the 2016 World Cup (they did, and Canada won 4-2). All he remembers is the mayhem of the countries’ pre-tournament tilt that September in Columbus.

I was lucky enough to be inside Nationwide Arena that night, and I haven’t seen a more heated 60 minutes before or since. Ryan Kelser absolutely buried Shea Weber into the end boards. Violence was in the air. (Again: This was exhibition. The only thing on the line that night was pride.)

“I remember the exhibition game was wild,” Doughty recalled Friday. “They beat us (4-2) actually, and they must have had, like, 60, 70 hits in that game. They were running around.”

We expect a similar ferocity when the puck drops at the feet of the 4 Nations’ co-favourites tonight.

“Canada has always been a proud country, hockeywise. It’s something we take a tremendous amount of pride in. And Canada’s always been at the top of the game,” says Brad Marchand.

“Countries are catching up in that area, and the development programs across each country are through the roof right now. So, everybody’s very excited about it. Everybody wants something to rally behind. But anytime you put that jersey on, everyone’s cheering for you. You know that. So, it’s a lot of pressure that comes with it — but definitely pressure that we enjoy having.”

The painfully long layoff of professional best-on-best and Canada’s recent trend of sputtering out at the junior level has amplified the need to remind the world — specifically, the Americans — that, no, you don’t really want Can-a-da.

“Definitely feel a lot of pressure,” Nathan MacKinnon admits. “I definitely like feeling pressure. It’s an important event. We all take representing Canada very seriously. We know we have a ton of support and pressure. I think it’s a good thing.

“It means you’re doing something important.”

Oh, Marchy, you treat

The NHL released a wonderful clip of a mic’d-up fan-slash-player Brad Marchand pumping up the boys in the dressing room after Mitch Marner’s overtime winner (watch below).

As hilarious as Marchand’s postgame soliloquy was, the joy on the faces of Crosby and Connor McDavid were equally enjoyable.

“He’s definitely a guy who keeps it light,” McDavid smiles. “Definitely a big-time leader in this group. He’s been here, done that for pretty much anything there is to do it hockey. So, definitely a guy that brings energy, keeps it light. Just a treat to be around.”

Captain Crosby says a mix of personalities — and letting them out — is key in these situations. In a sprint event like this, the quicker teammates are comfortable chirping each other, the better.

“Marchy feels comfortable everywhere. That was just a typical day after skate for him coming in the room. I’m used to that,” Crosby says.

“That’s fun. I mean, that’s part of playing on a team and just being in a dressing room. So, I love that about the game.”

Most meaningful player-of-the-game tradition ever?

Brilliant stuff from U.S. Hockey… and I love Brady wearing Johnny Gaudreau’s sweater backwards.

To boo or not to boo?

OK, about the booing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Montreal…

It’s not everyone in the building doing it. And for the most part, the players aren’t interested in fueling the topic.

“I just kind of stay out of it,” Drew Doughty says. “Obviously I know what’s going on, and I understand the Canadians’ frustration. But I think we should respect the anthems and stuff like that. I don’t think anyone should be booing.”

Understandably, the American players aren’t happy about it. Just as, it’s safe to assume, Canadians won’t be thrilled if our anthem gets a negative reception at TD Garden next week.

Marchand is the rare star here willing to take a firm stance on booing the U.S. anthem.

“There should not be any of that. We’re here to play a hockey game,” Marchand said Friday, doubling down on his media-day stance. “The anthems, those should be off limits. Those are a moment to show respect for the veterans and the millions and millions of people that sacrifice their lives so that we can continue to have our freedom — and we have the luxury to play a game like this. So, they should not be booing the Americans during that anthem.”

This is about President Trump threatening and dismissing Canada and our leader — not sports, not Charlie McAvoy or Jack Eichel or Connor Hellebuyck.

“They have nothing to do with the political things that are going on. So, I do feel bad for those guys in that moment. I don’t think it’s right. But those guys, they’re there to do a job on the ice, and they showed it (Thursday) night. They’re not going to be deterred because of being booed. They’re here to play for keeps.”

Cooper is hopeful fans in the building can separate their disapproval for, say, a Maple Leaf rival like Auston Matthews and an entire group of athletes who happen to be born south of the border.

“People have their personal feelings. Sometimes it gets mushed together when you bring up politics into sports,” says Cooper, who was raised in B.C. and lives in Florida. “The NHL is great because there’s so many players from so many different countries. And when they’re wearing the home jersey, it’s OK. Everybody cheers for them. But if they put on their away jersey, they’re booing them. And I’m OK with that.

“Willy Nylander got booed in the Sweden game. They weren’t getting booed because he’s a Swede; they were getting booed because he was a Leaf. And I’m OK with that. Like, that’s where the interaction happens.

“The players are representing their country, it’s great in that aspect. But, to me, you’re clouding two issues. And I just think everybody should come here and cheer for the great game and just leave that part out of it. Because I’d like the same for us when we go to other countries as well.”

Sanderson savours role as Hughes’ replacement

Jake Sanderson was given only a few days’ notice that he would be next (D-)man up should No. 1 U.S. defenceman Quinn Hughes pull out.

“Obviously, you want Quinn to be healthy and whatnot. But I was just super excited there was a chance I could be here,” the Ottawa Senators star says. “I work out and train with him in the summer in Michigan.”

The Senators’ last game was in Sunrise, Fla., and Sanderson had a plane ticket to Costa Rica in hand.

He holed up in a Miami hotel waiting for his phone to ring before catching his southbound.

Happily, he found himself rushing to the airport for a northbound flight instead.

“It’s so special. I’m so grateful to be here. It’s been a crazy last week, but at the end of the day, to put the jersey on again, it’s so special,” Sanderson says. “You never know when it’s gonna be your last chance. You want to make the most of it.

“Unbelievable.”

Name that (goal) tune

For those “scoring” at home, get acquainted with the country’s goal songs.

Team USA is soaring with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” (1973), the album version of which runs 9:08 — or roughly the length of a Jack Hughes shift.

The Americans are banking on magic being baked into that epic guitar solo. “Free Bird” was also the goal song of 2025’s American world junior champs.

Team Canada is also keeping the sounds in house, cranking The Sheepdogs’ “Feeling Good” (2012) when the lamp gets lit.

Fun fact: The Toronto Maple Leafs also used that rock jam from the pride of Saskatoon as their goal song about a decade ago, and it was featured on EA’s NHL 17 soundtrack.