Canadiens players told to take precautions in Minnesota before OT loss to Wild amid ICE outcry: report

The Montreal Canadiens reportedly asked its players to stay inside their team hotel, take the team bus rather than walk to the stadium and carry their passports with them at all times ahead of their game against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.

The report appeared on journalist Luc Gélinas' hockey website, which described Minnesota as an unsafe place amid two deaths that stemmed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations last month. The incidents sparked days of unrest in Minneapolis and in cities and suburbs around the state’s capital.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

The report added that the Canadiens didn’t leave for Minneapolis immediately after their game against the Sabres in Buffalo on Saturday. The team reportedly opted to stay an extra day in New York before going off to Minnesota.

Montreal’s game against the Wild appeared to go off without a hitch.

LIGHTNING, BRUINS GOALIES FIGHT DURING STADIUM SERIES MATCHUP

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj, right, reacts after his team's overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild in an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Wild star Kirill Kaprizov scored his second goal of the game on a power play in overtime to give his team a 4-3 victory. The team capitalized on a penalty that was charged to Phillip Danault. He hooked Kaprizov in front of the goal.

Minnesota also got goals from Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber. Quinn Hughes had three assists in the game and has 50 on the season.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov, second from the right, celebrates after his goal with teammates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

The Canadiens’ three-game winning streak was snapped with the loss. Brendan Gallagher, Ivan Demidov and Kirby Dach all put the puck into the back of the net.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.