The political backdrop of 4 Nations tournament was hard to ignore

There was no shortage of storylines during the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off — but when the league announced the international competition last year, it likely didn't anticipate that politics would take centre ice.

Heading into the final game, Canada's head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the political backdrop but downplayed its significance.

"Before that puck drops, I don't think anybody will be thinking anything outside of this hockey game, other than winning," he said.

Although players and coaches attempted to avoid questions about the ongoing political tensions between Canada and the United States, Canadian sports writer Gare Joyce said the political context would have been "unavoidable."

"If you could get inside the minds and hearts of those Canadian players, they were probably wrapped up in it," Joyce told CBC News.

In the months leading up to the faceoff, U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened numerous tariffs on Canada and continually talked about making the country the "51st state." Trump's taunts only spurred what is already considered a fierce rivalry, leading to fans jeering anthems, a fight-filled first game and shots fired on social media.

"[The Canadian players] would have had friends and family in Canada whose lives — their financial well-being — is going to feel an effect if and when heavy tariffs dropped," Joyce said.

Speaking to CBC News Network's Morning Live before Thursday's game, sports commentator Ron MacLean agreed that the players would be aware of the politics but would have to focus on hockey.

"Your focus has to be so razor-thin in an event like this. You can't really allow yourself the white noise," MacLean told 

"But it's all around us. There's no question about that."

Fans on both sides of the border were certainly aware of the political tensions.

Canadian fans jeered at the U.S. anthem during the tournament's initial games in Montreal — carrying over a trend from previous NHL and NBA games in the wake of Trump's tariff threats. U.S fans returned the favour before the final showdown in Boston on Thursday.

Asked if the booing of the American during the games in Montreal provided extreme motivation to the U.S. team, forward Matthew Tkachuk mostly avoided the question.

"I didn't like it and that's all I got," he said.