The aggressive political rhetoric is widely perceived as having resulted in fisticuffs — on ice. After Canadian fans booed the U.S. national anthem at the Saturday, Feb. 15 Four Nations game at the Bell Centre in Montreal, U.S. players dropped their gloves and threw punches at their Canadian rivals, sparking a commentary frenzy on social media.

President Donald Trump called the U.S. men's national ice hockey team before its championship game against Canada.

The routine friendly bet between leaders of Canada and the United States before hockey games was replaced by taunts and heightened stakes on Thursday.