Amid cross-border tensions, taunts and tariff threats from the American president, national-anthem booing, back-to-back fistfights, and talk of turning Canada into the “51st state,” it had become something bigger.

On Thursday, all eyes will be on Boston as Team USA and Canada​ square off at TD Garden during a rematch of a game that started with three fights in the first nine seconds.

Jack O’Callahan, and several of his 1980 “Miracle on Ice” teammates were sitting in a Washington, D.C., bar 29 years ago when the United States beat Canada in the final game of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.