Fans at KeyBank Center came together to sing “O Canada” after a technical glitch caused Cami Clune’s microphone to fail prior to the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins Game 5 matchup in the first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.
In a spontaneous display of unity, the crowd joined in to complete the Canadian anthem before Clune returned with a new microphone to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Clune later expressed gratitude on social media for the heartwarming moment, describing it as “crazy but cool.”
Unlike last year’s instances of anthem-related tensions, Tuesday’s event showcased a different atmosphere as fans put aside differences. Buffalo’s unique tradition of playing both national anthems before games, regardless of the opponent, stems from its close proximity to the Canadian border and strong Canadian fan base.
The Bruins managed to secure a 2-1 victory in overtime, narrowing the Sabres’ series lead to 3-2. Game 6 is set to take place on Friday at TD Garden in Boston.