Fans at KeyBank Center carried “O Canada” after a microphone failed before the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins played Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Tuesday night.
Cami Clune’s microphone cut out early, and the crowd joined in to help finish the Canadian anthem before the singer returned with a new mic to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
She later said on social media it was a “crazy but cool moment” and thanked fans for singing along.
Buffalo is the only NHL team to play both national anthems before home games, regardless of opponent, a tradition tied to its proximity — about eight kilometres — to the border and a strong Canadian fan base.
Really powerful moment at KeyBank Center tonight.<br><br>Technical issues caused the microphone to cut out during the Canadian national anthem, so Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins fans sang O Canada for an A cappella rendition instead.<br><br>Hockey is class 🇨🇦🇺🇸<a href=”https://t.co/lK4K2FyDvs”>pic.twitter.com/lK4K2FyDvs</a>
Tuesday’s response in Buffalo contrasted with last year, when fans at multiple events on both sides of the border booed opposing anthems amid political tensions.
At the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last February, fans jeered “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a Canada-U.S. game in Montreal, while “O Canada” was booed before a Canada-U.S. matchup in Boston.
“We have the best fans ever,” Clune said on X.
The Bruins won 2-1 in overtime to avoid elimination and cut the Sabres’ series lead to 3-2ΓÇ¿
Game 6 goes Friday at TD Garden in Boston.
