From pretty early in Donald Trump’s 2024 run for president, there has been tension emerging with our allies to the north. His glib talk of making America’s Hat America’s 51st state rankled many a Syrupean. His tariff policy led to political tensions, and this was all fertilized by the Canadian activist community rising in voice and then becoming angered by another component — our indifference to their opinions of us.
The feud between the countries was on display during the NHL’s staging of the 4-Nations tournament, held in February 2025. The replacement of the All-Star game saw players portioned out by country, and in the game held in Montreal, the local Quebecois crowd booed the U.S. National Anthem. The American team promptly responded by instigating no fewer than three fights at the opening puck drop.
This animosity only intensified one year later, during the Winter Olympiad. Inevitably, the hockey teams from both nations squared off in the final, and Team USA managed a sweep of the golds, with the men’s, women’s, and Paralympic hockey teams taking the top honors. This only turned the already bitter fans in Snow Mexico all the more dysphoric.
Well, we may finally be on the verge of seeing some healing taking place – and it is arriving from the very sport that had been body-checking our allyship.
In Buffalo last week, before a playoff game with the Boston Bruins, there was an incident during the performance of the national anthems from both countries. To explain things, there is a detail many have been unaware of, and that is due to the Sabres not having been in the playoffs for over a decade. But the game shone a light on the fact that in Buffalo, they traditionally have sung the Canadian anthem, regardless of whether they were playing another American team. This is a nod to the fans they draw in from the other side of the nearby Niagara Falls area.
As has been seen before, the singer had her microphone die, and the fans in Buffalo promptly undertook the cause and finished the anthem in full-throated fashion.
After a microphone issue in Buffalo, the entire crowd helps with the singing of O Canada ahead of Game 5 👏 pic.twitter.com/0q6HeLTCZ8
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 28, 2026
Canadian beers are a common sight in Buffalo. Recently, Labatt’s opened its first American brewhouse in town. So as a sign of gratitude for the respect the Sabres faithful showed, another Canadian brewer, Molson, decided to show appreciation for the gesture that it came out with a pledge to buy Sabres fans a beer at select bars in town for the Friday night game.
Perhaps President Trump and Canadian leader Mark Carney have been shown the way to mend the divide between our countries. Maybe this is the way – they have the foundation for a peace deal to commence, as they can agree to a beer summit taking place.
🚨FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL SPOTTED DRINKING & PARTYING WITH TEAM USA HOCKEY
Yes, the sitting FBI Director
Chugging beer & pounding the table with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team
Is this normal… or does this feel completely off for the FBI Director?pic.twitter.com/fcQkJdlqxG
— Genius Tech (@Geniustechw) March 25, 2026
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