when the four nations cup was announced, it was stopped to be a nice gift to the NHL superstars to play the best at a world stage. The NHL players did not participate in the 2018 or the 2022 Olympics. It was thought, at the time it was announced, that it would be like a All-Star game atmosphere. There wouldn’t be any real tension because Russia would not be participating.

Boy did things change. Donald Trump stepped in. He threatened damaging, tariffs and annexing our country. All of a sudden, the four nations cup took on in the atmosphere of the Canada Soviet 1972 Summit series.

In the round, robin, last Saturday three fights broke out in the first 20 seconds between Canada and the US. The US eventually won that game. This was in Montreal. The way things worked as they always seem to do Canada and the US ended up playing the championship game, in Boston. As we all know, the game went to overtime. Connor McDavid scored the winning goal.

There were a couple of things of note other than the game itself. Before the game, a representative, for both teams was presented, on the ice. Mike Eruzione, part of the US 1980 miracle on ice hockey team was presented for the US. He wore a US uniform as he came to the ice. Wayne Gretzky was presented for Canada. He is a friend of Donald Trump. He came out in a suit. It is seen as a snap to Canada and an acknowledgement of friendship with Trump.

Chantelle Kreviazuk sang the Canadian anthem. She deliberately changed the words ‘ from all of us command’ to ‘ that only us command’. This was a deliberate middle finger to Trump. Kreviazuk remarked on the change, as follows,

“because I believe in democracy, and a sovereign nation should not have to be defending itself against tyranny and fascism.”

Last night was a lot more than just a game. Justin Trudeau had the last word.

“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game.”

celebrate Canada today. We deserve it.