The political backdrop of 4 Nations tournament was hard to ignore [Video]

There was no shortage of storylines during the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off — but when the league announced the international competition last year, it likely didn’t anticipate that politics would take centre ice.

Heading into the final game, Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged the political backdrop but downplayed its significance.

“Before that puck drops, I don’t think anybody will be thinking anything outside of this hockey game, other than winning,” he said.

Although players and coaches attempted to avoid questions about the ongoing political tensions between Canada and the United States, Canadian sports writer Gare Joyce said the political context would have been “unavoidable.”

“If you could get inside the minds and hearts of those Canadian players, they were probably wrapped up in it,” Joyce told CBC News.

In the months leading up to the faceoff, U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened numerous tariffs on Canada and continually talked …