NHL-Buffalo crowd rescues Canadian anthem after mic fails at NHL playoff game

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.

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