Canada Not A Fan: U.S. national anthem booed at Game

Post-9/11 Era Forum

Fans booed during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before the New York Islanders' 6-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

The sellout crowd of 21,273 at Bell Centre was asked to ''show your support and respect for two great nations'' before the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems.

But a significant portion of the crowd booed throughout ''The Star-Spangled Banner'' in an apparent display of their displeasure with the U.S.-led war against Iraq. More than 200,000 people turned out for an anti-war demonstration in Montreal last Saturday.

''I'm sure there are a lot of people against the war, but some things people can't control,'' said New York's Alexei Yashin, who is from Russia. ''They were probably showing what they feel about it.''

Teammate Mark Parrish, a native of Bloomington, Minn., was upset hearing the boos.

''I came to the game pretty pumped up, but once I heard that it really got me going,'' Parrish said. ''So I guess I can thank them a little bit for getting me more pumped up.''

Source: Boston.com

Damn hosers take their hockey way to seriously.

you people are hypocrits, we have boo'd canadas anthem countless number of times, at sports game

When you say "We" don't include me.
Have some respect dude. I bet you don't even take your hat off when our anthem plays.

Even Canada has freedom of speech, although they were probably all drunk at the time.

When people do this sort of thing it shows ignorance and disrespect for others. Give respect and you will get it.

America is strong and shows restraint. We could have easily turned the Middle East into a parking lot after 9/11. We didn't because we have compassion for others, unlike other countries feelings for the U.S.

Resentment and jealousy of our freedom, wealth and strength is why we are disliked. The "Ugly American" as seen by countries like France, Germany and France, is caused by lack of restraint and resentment.
For some reason they feel that their country's freedom has nothing to do with our saving them in World War 2. They are against war but have already forgot what brought them their freedom. It surely wasn't protesting and pacifism that got them their.

I have to admit, protesting brings character and the same people who fought and protested the Viet Nam war are now the leaders of the World.

Canadians are just as wealthy and probably more free and definately much more secure. and it's not becasue America protects them. It's because unlike America, they're not travelling the globe giving everybody reasons to hate them.

So France and Germany have to kiss our arse over WWII forever. You know the Russians have as much or more to do with winning WWII than the US...Read the real history. Should they kiss the Russian's *** forever too? I guess we have to kiss Israel's arse forever too! They should have a "lifetime" pass to never be criticized because of the holocaust? Well **** them and **** the holocaust! **** happens, it's over, their free pass has expired, they need to straighten up and be treated like everybody else...instead moron Bush is threatening our national security to TOTALLY KISS THEIR ****! It's so **** stupid!

Why? Should they get a pass from criticism for eternity because the holocaust happenned? I don't think so. Are you bothered by my lack of political correctness? You see that's deliberate.

Fine, the holocaust happenned, that doesn't mean that Jews and Israel are free from attack and criticism from this day forward. If they're doing something wrong it needs to be pointed out and hammered on...

It was disrespectful and an absolute disgrace that the US national anthem was booed. No matter what you feel about the war, there is no reason do boo. It is disgusting.

It is as disgusting as when the NY Islander fans booed the Canadian national anthem in the playoffs last year.

As a Canadian I was already ashamed that my government has not backed our friend, and neighbour. Now I wake up this morning to hear that Hab fans booed the American anthem?? What message did they think it would send? It was stupid, rude, pathetic, and childish.

I just hope Canada doesn't get hit with a terrorist attack. Who would help them? The Canadian Military? That is joke. They will have to turn to the only country they can, the only one who has the resources, the ability, and is close enough to help. The United States. After the crap that happened at the hockey game, and the fact the Canadian government has not backed the US, who would blame the US for telling Canada "to bad, you're on your own". I wouldn't.

It is disgusting on both accounts - what the NY fans did and other. Countries that are "Friends" should not "speak" about each other in that manner.

As you all may have figured out, I LOVE HOCKEY AND THE CAPITALS!!!! but this really makes me sick. I think that we should ban hockey in Montreal until they can get their fans under control, the Caps are on a huge road trip going cross country across canada, if they boo again at the National Anthem, i am going to send an email to the NHL and tell them to take action

If George Bush isn't elected in 2004

i guarentee the relationship bewteen Canada & US will get back to normal

i have read alot of canadian websites for the reasons they hate GWB

first off, ussually the presidents first foreign trip is always to canada, Bush chose mexico
and canadians took that as a slap in the face

then, we had a friendly fire on canadian soilders killing 4
and Bush reluctantly gave condolences 2 days later, after pressure from canada
you heard me right, he needed pressure to give his condolences for the friendly fire

then in State of the Union speech for fighting the war on terrorism in afghanistan, he names every country apart of the coalition but canada in the speech

not to mention, we slap a enormous tax on wheat, and canadian farmers are going bankrupt because of these actions

i don't blame canada for hating us, but canada always has a place in my heart

i was in a plane on september 11th, and my plane got routed to canada

the people treated me so great there, and i will always admire canada

If this is how we treat our closet ally, is it a suprise that the majority of the world hates us?

If I'm not mistaken, I do believe hockey is much bigger in Canada than it is here.. I'm sure they wouldn't be missing out on much if the NHL decided to teach them a lesson

you are correct, hockey is much more bigger there, here is the thing, they only have 4 or 5 teams, the rest are in the US, true it is a bigger thing over there but we have a majority of the teams. So there would be no problem cutting out Montreal or all of Canada!!!!!!!

The NHL would never do that, but if they did, Canada would keep the Stanley Cup, as it was a gift from Lord Stanley to the hockey champions of Canada. I'm just being a smart alec, of course it's bad that Montreal booed the anthem. Just jerks being jerky, and it's not even worth getting upset about. It's happened to all of us.

As stated in my comment above, I am disgusted about what the Montreal fans did. However, althouugh there are more NHL teams in the US, Canadian players make up 54% of the NHL. Therefore, it would be heard to "cut" them out.

Also, a point in fact, is last year Islander fans booed the Canadian anthem, and the NHL did nothing. Therefore, how could they justify doing something now?

However, as I said above, absolutely disgusting what happened, especially when the US is all ready taking enough having to deal with enough crap from places like France. I don't think the US needs, nor deserves their neighbour giving them grieve too.

There's a line people cross sometimes. On both sides everyone needs to put their tails between their legs, egos aside, and shamefully realize they over stepped themselves. The ignorance and arrogance displayed by booing disgusts me. Who in their right mind can disagree with how dangerous it really is to insult neighboring countries.-Thanks, Angel

give me a break cpq, if canada acted up we could take them out with our new york police force, I heard that we could on the news, and by the way, in two weeks I will be going to see the Caps play the Sentors, I think I will give them a taste of their own medicine!!!!!!!!!!!11

I just finished watching the Buffalo / Toronto game, and do you know what happened when the American Athen started?

The Toronto fans gave not one, not two, but THREE standing ovations for the American Anthen. So just because some moronic idiots in Montreal booed, don't believe all Canadians are that disrespectful. As far as I know Canadians did not think all Americans were disrespectful just because a Islander fans booed the Canadian Anthem.

So, here we go again with the "sticks and stones may break my bones..." or "Na na na na na naaaa...." or "My dad's bigger than your dad....." post that just can't help but indicate the true maturity level of the author.

Booing your national anthem is stupid (I agree), but coming back with threats of the New York Police Force making us poor little weak Canadians their biatches......I know, I know, your dad is bigger than my dad. I don't need to tell you to grow up, do I Caps?

When I hear the American anthem at public event, I place one hand behind my back, turn my back towards the flag, and place my hand over my heart with my fingers in shocker position.

Sure the US could take out the Canadian military easily. Why bother having a strong military? Let the idiots south of the border die defending you...sure send them a token platoon every once in a while, but don't put money into it when you have these suckers available.