The American fans returned the favor after “The Star-Spangled Banner” was booed in Montreal.

The American fans returned the favor after “The Star-Spangled Banner” was booed in Montreal.

### The American Fans Returned the Favor After “The Star-Spangled Banner” Was Booed in Montreal

**Date: February 20, 2025**

In an unexpected turn of events during a high-stakes game between the Montreal Canadiens and the visiting U.S. team, the iconic “Star-Spangled Banner” was met with boos from the Canadian crowd. This moment of tension quickly became a hot topic, but it was the American fans’ response in the following game that truly made headlines.

#### The Incident in Montreal

The controversy began when the U.S. national anthem, *The Star-Spangled Banner*, was played before the opening faceoff of a major international hockey match between the two teams in Montreal. Instead of the usual applause, the anthem was met with jeers and boos from parts of the crowd. While this kind of reaction is rare, it was undoubtedly a shock for both the U.S. players and fans in attendance.

The act of booing the anthem, seen as a display of disrespect, sparked widespread outrage across social media and within the broader sports community. Many fans were left questioning what had prompted such a reaction from the Canadian crowd, especially since Canada and the United States share a long-standing, friendly rivalry in sports, particularly in hockey.

While some attributed the booing to frustration over the competitive nature of the game or tensions between certain fanbases, others viewed it as an unfortunate breach of respect for the national anthem. Nonetheless, it was clear that the moment had left a mark on both sides of the border.

#### The U.S. Fans’ Defiant Response

Not long after the incident, the stage was set for a rematch between the two teams, this time with the game taking place in the United States. The American fans, still reeling from the disrespect shown to their anthem, were eager to express their feelings. As the U.S. national anthem began to play before the start of the game, the response from the American crowd was nothing short of passionate.

Rather than just standing in silence, the fans in the stadium began singing *The Star-Spangled Banner* with fierce pride, adding an extra layer of patriotism and unity to the moment. As the final notes of the anthem played, the crowd erupted into a deafening roar of applause, clearly aiming to return the favor and send a message of national pride in response to the events in Montreal.

“The fans here are showing exactly what it means to respect our country and anthem,” one fan shared in an interview.