While the stakes may not have been as high as Charles Barkley suggested, Canada’s exhilarating victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final certainly deserves recognition. A passionate hockey enthusiast since being introduced to the sport post his drafting by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984, Barkley often claims he prefers NHL playoffs over the NBA. On Thursday night, he appeared on Inside the NBA donning a USA jersey, just ahead of the matchup.
The game unfolded against the backdrop of a trade dispute, with President Donald Trump threatening tariffs on Canada and mockingly referring to it as the United States’ 51st state. Unfortunately for Trump, Barkley, and USA fans, Connor McDavid netted an overtime goal, sealing a 3-2 victory for Canada. Following the match, Barkley congratulated the Canadian team while also reflecting on Trump’s recent remarks.
“They were playing harder because of the tariffs and they didn’t want to be the 51st state. That’s motivation!” – Charles Barkley on Canada’s win over the United States pic.twitter.com/OLEVWXjWpf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 21, 2025
“I’m not gonna be a bad loser. Congratulations to Canada. I’m sorry we got the tariffs on you,” Barkley joked, eliciting laughter from Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. “They were playing harder because of the tariffs and they didn’t want to be the 51st state. That’s motivation!”
The 4 Nations Face-Off marked a significant success for the NHL, captivating the attention of casual sports fans who might not typically watch hockey in February. The added dimension of political tensions further heightened the rivalry between Canada and the United States, making the event even more intriguing.
