Canadian forward Brad Marchand, who will take the ice against Team USA on Thursday for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off title game, has a message for fans booing either country’s anthem during the pregame festivities: It’s unbecoming.

Canadian hockey and basketball fans started jeering “The Star-Spangled Banner” last month after President Trump announced planned tariffs on Canadian goods and teased about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state. The tensions boiled over in Saturday’s game between the American and Canadian hockey squads. 

The Montreal fans booed the U.S. anthem, and players started three fights in the first minute. 

“We’re here to play a hockey game. They can boo all they want during the games. The anthems should be off-limits,” Marchand said over the weekend. “Those should be a moment to show respect for the veterans and the millions and millions of people that sacrificed their lives so we could have freedom and the luxury to play a hockey game.”

Boston will host Thursday’s rematch, so the Americans will likely encounter a friendlier crowd. Marchand, who plays for the Bruins, said he’d appreciate that. 

“They should not be booing the Americans during that anthem,” he said after the reaction in Montreal. “They have nothing to do with the political things that are going on. I do feel bad for those guys in that moment. I don’t think it’s right.”

Even so, Boston could deliver a harsh welcome for Marchand’s Canadians. Some American fans, like supporters of the Nashville Predators, have taken to protesting “O Canada” before games.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.