One of the most heated rivalries in sports will resume on Thursday, as the Canadian and American women's hockey teams face off in the final leg of this season's Rivalry Series.

The Canadians lead 2-1 as the five-game series shifts to Halifax on Thursday evening, followed by the finale in Summerside, P.E.I. on Saturday. The Americans hosted the first three games in the fall in California, Utah and Idaho.

On the ice, the rivalry is as strong as it ever was, even as players from both countries worked together to build a new professional league and now share locker rooms on their PWHL teams.

But off the ice, some fans may feel the games take on extra importance this week amid the threat of a trade war, prompted by tariffs proposed, and then delayed for 30 days, by U.S. president Donald Trump.

In the thick of the tension between Canada and its closest trade ally, fans booed the American national anthem at NBA and NHL games in Canada over the last couple of days.

After practising on the Scotiabank Centre ice in her home province of Nova Scotia on Tuesday, Canadian forward Blayre Turnbull said she hadn't been thinking about how Canadian fans might react to the American anthem.

"I would expect Maritime hospitality here [Thursday]," she said. "I don't think politics should weigh into our hockey game. I think the fans should be excited to watch the highest level of women's hockey for the first time in a long time. So I'm hoping that everyone's here to support the game and to cheer us on."

It's a jersey she's worn for more than 15 years, through four Olympic Games and numerous world championships. 

"A lot of us started to dream to be part of this team and we're able to be here, so it's a privilege," Poulin said. "We don't take it for granted, and we know that being able to play in front of a sold-out crowd here in Halifax, it's going to be very exciting and it's going to be a lot of pride."

Americans trail in series

The Americans gave up two games on home soil, and will have to win in front of the Canadian fans on Thursday to have a hope of climbing back into the series.

"I don't think we're unaccustomed to getting booed in Canada, just because of the rivalry," Knight said about how Canadian fans might react to the U.S. team.

"What our job is every single day is to train, to put ourselves in a great position to join the collection of players, to get out there and play together, and play good, solid hockey. That's something that we're focused on. All the other things that are going on is sort out of the mix of our room."

For both teams, the games are an audition for April's world championship. But there's also a trophy on the line for the winner of the Rivalry Series.

It's not the Walter Cup or a world title, but winning still matters in this rivalry.

"We love playing the U.S.," Poulin said.

"You want to play against the best, with the best, and every time you have a chance to play against them, it just makes us elevate our game because you do want to win. We're all competitive."

Pushing for Olympic spot

Thursday's game also takes place exactly one year out from the next Winter Olympics, which begin Feb. 6, 2026 hosted by Milano-Cortina, Italy.

Several Canadian players who weren't on last year's world championship roster have been invited to these games, and have a chance to prove they belong over players who helped the team win last year's world championship.

It's a crucial step toward consideration for the Olympic squad next year.

The additions include goaltender Corinne Schroeder, defenders Sophie Jaques and Micah Zandee-Hart, and forwards Daryl Watts and Jennifer Gardiner. Defender Claire Thompson, who won Olympic gold in 2022, is also back in the mix after taking time away to balance medical school studies.

She said Gardiner, who was drafted in the second round by Montreal last year, came to the team with a great attitude and an eagerness to learn.

"She's fast," Poulin said. "She sees the game and she has such a great shot. We're very lucky to have her in Montreal. For her to be here in Halifax, she deserves it and you can see she loves hockey and honestly, you feel it when you're around her."

Playing on home ice

For Turnbull, it's a chance to play at home, and one she thought might never come.

Canadian players travelled here in 2021 for the rescheduled tournament and isolated in hotel rooms. It was cancelled again before they got to play a single game.

It's an opportunity Turnbull, who is from Stellarton, N.S., doesn't take for granted. She hasn't played in Halifax since the 2011 Canada Games, when her Nova Scotia team finished in 8th place. She'll have lots of friends and family at Thursday's game.

"For me, to have played in so many cities across the globe and with so many different teams, to be able to play here in my home province with Team Canada, it's definitely at the top of my list for things that I'm going to look back on," she said.