Fans Boo the "Star Spangled Banner" In Montreal Tonight

The Four Nations Face-Off continued tonight, as Team USA took on Finland, with juggernauts Auston Matthews, and Aleksandr Barkov wearing their country's respective colors.

The difference between the two teams was glaring, as geopolitical tensions made Team USA an unwelcome guest in Canada.

Hockey fans in Montreal booed the US National Anthem again, passionately.

While Team USA Captain Auston Matthews would be booed everytime he touched the puck, the fans in Montreal wouldn't let him forget not only does he play for the rival Maple Leafs, but he's also unwelcome there as a member of Team USA.

It's been a rough start to the Four Nations Face-Off, despite the PA Announcer's plea for everyone to respect the anthems.

To which they said:

During the "Star Spangled Anthem", the boos could be heard throughout the building:

The response to the National Anthem could be considered disrespectful to the players.

In the context of sportsmanship, they aren't wrong, but in the greater scheme of things, the worldwide brinksmanship that has brought us here has been the catalyst all along.

Sadly, relations have deteriorated to the point where we have seen the sports players who don't make policy upheld as villains on the world stage.

It should be an interesting game when Team USA and Canada battle in Montreal on Saturday. The atmosphere should be electric in the Bell Centre.