Updated Feb 21, 2025 - Sports

Trudeau after Canada win over U.S.: "You can't take our country" or "our game"

Rebecca Falconer

: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada reacts after scoring the game-winning goal during the first overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Connor McDavid of Team Canada reacts after scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States on Feb. 20, 2025 in Boston. Photo: Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images

Canada beat Team USA 3-2 in an overtime 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game thriller in Boston on Thursday night, which saw political tensions spill into the arena.

The big picture: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a swipe at President Trump's call for Canada's annexation as the 51st U.S. state moments after the win, saying on X: "You can't take our country — and you can't take our game."

Trump said on Truth Social earlier Thursday he was calling Team USA "to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada, which with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State."

Zoom in: Ahead of the game, U.S. hockey fans booed Canada's national anthem — after Canadian fans booed a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" before Team USA's winning game in Montreal last week.

And singer Chantal Kreviazuk confirmed to CBC News she changed the lyrics to "O Canada" on Thursday from "True patriot love, in all of us command" to "that only us command" in response to Trump's annexation calls.

In photos: Highlights from politically charged U.S.-Canada hockey final

Brad Marchand #63 of Team Canada collides with Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States during overtime in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Brad Marchand, #63 of Team Canada, and Connor Hellebuyck, #37 of Team USA, collide during overtime in the Feb. 20 game. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States checks Devon Toews #5 of Team Canada during the third period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Brady Tkachuk, #7 of Team USA, checks Devon Toews, #5 of Team Canada, during the third period in the NHL clash on Feb. 20. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States and Devon Toews #5 of Team Canada vie for position in front of the Canada net during the third period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Brady Tkachuk, #7 of Team USA, and Devon Toews, #5 of Team Canada, vie for position in front of the Canada net during the third period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship on Feb. 20. Photo: Chase Agnello-Dean/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images

Brock Faber #14 of Team United States pushes down on Sidney Crosby #87 of Team Canada at the end boards during the second period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Brock Faber, #14 of Team USA, pushes down on Sidney Crosby, #87 of Team Canada, at the end boards during the second period of the face-off on Feb. 20. Photo: Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images

Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States collides with Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada during the second period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Jack Hughes, #86 of Team USA, and Connor McDavid, #97 of Team Canada, collide during the second period of the game on Feb. 20. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Sam Bennett #9 of Team Canada scores a goal against Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States during the second period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Sam Bennett, #9 of Team Canada, scores a goal against Connor Hellebuyck, #37 of Team USA, during the second period of their Feb. 20 game. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Chris Kreider #20 of Team United States argues with Cale Makar #8 of Team Canada during the first period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Chris Kreider, #20 of Team USA, argues with Cale Makar, #8 of Team Canada, during the first period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off on Feb. 20. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Brady Tkachuk #7 of Team United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Jordan Binnington #50 of Team Canada during the first period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Brady Tkachuk, #7 of Team USA, celebrates after scoring a goal against Jordan Binnington, #50 of Team Canada, during the first period of the Feb. 20 game. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Cale Makar #8 of Team Canada gets between Brock Nelson #29 of Team United States and the puck during the first period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Cale Makar, #8 of Team Canada, gets between Brock Nelson, #29 of Team USA, and the puck during the first period of the sides' clash on Feb. 20. Photo: Chase Agnello-Dean/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images

Matt Boldy #12 of Team United States collides with Thomas Harley #48 of Team Canada during the first period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — Matt Boldy, #12 of Team USA, and Thomas Harley, #48 of Team Canada, collide during the first period in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Feb. 20. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

A general view of the atmosphere during the Canadian national anthem prior to the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. — A general view of the atmosphere during the Canadian national anthem prior to the Feb. 20 face-off. Officials asked fans to "respect the national anthem and the players that represent each country," but some Team USA fans still booed. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Go deeper: Trump's first month turns U.S. foreign policy upside down

Editor's note: This article and the headline have been updated to reflect Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's comment and further context has been added.

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Trudeau after Canada win over U.S.: "You can't take our country" or "our game"

In photos: Highlights from politically charged U.S.-Canada hockey final

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