April 29 (Reuters) – A microphone malfunction before an NHL playoff game in Buffalo, New York turned into an unexpected highlight when a sellout crowd stepped in to sing the Canadian national anthem themselves.
Anthem singer Cami Clune had just begun “O Canada” before Game Five of the Eastern Conference first-round series between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins on Tuesday when her microphone started to cut out. Within seconds the crowd stepped in, with about 19,000 voices filling the building and carrying the anthem without hesitation before giving themselves a round of applause.
The team’s official X account captured the spirit of the moment, posting “That’s how we do it in Buffalo” along with a video clip. Clune also took to X, writing “what a crazy but also cool moment! Thank you all for singing along with me!!”.
Clune, armed with a new microphone, then went on to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” without a hitch.
While it is uncommon for U.S.-based NHL teams to perform both national anthems before games that do not involve a Canadian team, the Sabres, whose home arena is about 5 miles (8 km) from the Canadian border, do so before every home game.
The Bruins, who were facing elimination, went on to edge the Sabres 2-1 in overtime to force a Game Six.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Ed Osmond)
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