Amid brewing political tensions, Canada, U.S. set for next chapter in heated rivalry at 4 Nations
CBC
Connor McDavid was hanging out with buddies from his Toronto minor hockey team.
Nathan MacKinnon was trying to get home to Nova Scotia from the prep school he attended in Minnesota. A cancelled flight due to winter weather forced him to stay behind with a friend's family.
It was Feb. 28, 2010, and the teenagers, much like the rest of Canada, were on the edge of their seats as the national team met the United States in the men's Olympic hockey final.
Sidney Crosby — the country's 22-year-old, baby-faced superstar — stitched his name into the country's sporting fabric that memorable Sunday when he scored the overtime goal that clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory and tied a bow on the Vancouver Games.
"We had all got together to watch," McDavid recalled.
"Any hockey fan remembers where they were," MacKinnon added.
The pair have waited a long time to play against the Americans at the highest level. They're set to finally get that chance — with Crosby still leading the charge.
Canada and the U.S. will square off in a mouth-watering, marquee matchup Saturday night at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal.
"A hockey game that you love to be a part of, no matter what experience you've had in the past," said Crosby, the country's 37-year-old captain coming off Wednesday's three-assist performance in a 4-3 overtime victory against Sweden.
"Excited for the challenge."
The game will be played with a political backdrop ignited by U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on Canada.
Fans booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the U.S.-Finland game on Thursday, continuing a trend at professional sporting events in Canada following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats.
"I know what's going on and I understand Canadians' frustration," said defenceman Drew Doughty, who won Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014. "But I think we should respect the anthems — I don't think anyone should be booing."
"There's no bigger rivalry," Canadian forward Brad Marchand said. "They're the games that everybody dreams about playing growing up.
