Bill Guerin, who played 18 years in the NHL for eight teams, said on Fox News that Trump’s presence would give a boost to the rivalry between the North American hockey powers. He credited Trump’s tariff threats and talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state for ratcheting up the intensity in their fight-filled matchup in the preliminary round.

Guerin was asked whether the Canadian crowd booing the U.S. national anthem, a direct result of the political tensions sparked by President Donald Trump's threats to impose significant tariffs on Canada and repeated suggestions it should become America's 51st state, contributed to the intense first game and Team USA's performance.