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Bill Guerin, who played 18 years in the NHL for
eight teams, said on Fox News that Trump’s presence would give a
boost to the rivalry between the North American hockey powers.
He said the political tension between Canada and the U.S., which
caused fans in Montreal to boo “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior
to two games last week, ratcheted up the intensity in their
fight-filled matchup in the preliminary round.
Tensions have risen as Trump has talked about making Canada the
51st U.S. state and threatened tariffs against the country.
“We would love it if President Trump was in attendance,” Guerin
said in the interview broadcast on Monday. “We have a room full
of proud American players and coaches and staff. Listen, we’re
just trying to represent our country the best way we can.”
The tournament marks the return of hockey's top stars to
international play after sitting out the last two Olympics.
The United States beat Canada 3-1 on Saturday in a game that
began with three fights in the first nine seconds. The quality
of play, intensity of emotions and geopolitical backdrop have
drawn comparisons to the Americans’ “Miracle on Ice” victory
over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.
“I think there was a little bit of a political flair to it. It’s
just the time that we’re in,” Guerin said. “If you let it get
the better of you, then you’re in trouble. But I do think the
players used it as inspiration.”
Since his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump has attended the Super
Bowl and NASCAR's Daytona 500.
Canada forward Brandon Hagel said Tuesday his team didn’t need
any extra motivation, referencing American players having
discussed over group chats their plan to start the previous game
with fights.
“I think we’re out there playing for the flag, not the cameras.
That’s a part of Canada that we have in there. We don’t need to
initiate anything. We don’t have any group chats going on,”
Hagel said. “We’re going out there playing our game and then
giving it everything and doing it for our country.”
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