Chantal Kreviazuk used “O Canada” to send a message to the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
As Chantal Kreviazuk sang “O Canada” before the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game between the U.S. and Canada, some listeners heard what sounded like a mistake. Rather than sing “true patriot love in all of us command,” Kreviazuk changed it to “true patriot love that only us command.” Some assumed it was an embarrassing error on the Canadian artist’s part, but her representative confirmed to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that it was in fact intended as a response against recent rhetoric from the U.S. government about taking Canada’s sovereignty.
Kreviazuk also posted a picture of the modified lyric on her hand to her Instagram Story, further clarifying her intent.
Amid loud boos from the crowd in Boston, Kreviazuk performed in a tense atmosphere. It was a clear response to Canadian fans jeering the U.S. national anthem over recent statements from President Donald Trump regarding Canada’s sovereignty. Since taking office, Trump has made several comments hinting at turning Canada into the 51st state of the U.S. and has threatened significant tariffs against the country.
Trump’s allies have echoed these sentiments, with some remarks taking a lighthearted tone. For instance, Senator Ted Cruz, born in Calgary, joked that the U.S. would take over Canada if it won the game.
Canada’s national pride has been deeply affected, leading to a hostile reaction toward “The Star-Spangled Banner” whenever it is played in Canadian NHL arenas. The situation has intensified the significance of the 4 Nations Face-Off for many, with games between the U.S. and Canada feeling akin to an Olympic gold medal match.
After losing to the U.S. in group play, Canada rallied to defeat the Americans 3-2 in overtime, with superstar Connor McDavid scoring the golden goal. Following the victory, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement that was clearly directed at the United States: “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.” This sentiment was shared on Twitter shortly after the match.
The Canadian team celebrated the win with another rendition of “O Canada,” and this time, the boos were replaced by singing along.
The NHL did not anticipate the rising political tensions surrounding the 4 Nations Face-Off, but it resulted in increased interest in the tournament, which has proven to be an exciting alternative to the traditional All-Star game. As American sports leagues struggle to maintain interest in their All-Star events, the NHL has opted for this international tournament, delivering some thrilling hockey.
While it’s uncertain when or if another 4 Nations Face-Off will take place, it was clear that the players embraced the event, with the next major international competition being the 2026 Winter Olympics.
