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Thousands of US hockey fans sing Canadian anthem amid tensions between neighbor countries
TL;DR
During a recent hockey match in Buffalo, thousands of fans sang the Canadian anthem after a microphone failure interrupted the singer. This event highlights the unique relationship between Buffalo and Canada amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Key points
- Thousands of fans sang the Canadian anthem in Buffalo
- The event occurred during a hockey match between US teams
- Buffalo is known as the 'City of Good Neighbors'
- The Sabres celebrate Canadian culture in the NHL
- A microphone malfunction interrupted the singer
Mentioned in this story
BuffaloCanada
Buffalo Sabres
The Electric City. Nickle City. Queen City. City of No Illusions.
Buffalo, New York, has accrued many nicknames over the years, but in an age of growing tensions between two traditional allies, one such epithet has taken on extra resonance: the City of Good Neighbors.
Buffalo, which sits at the head of the Niagara River, has cultivated a reputation for its small-town feel and welcoming atmosphere, especially to visitors crossing the border from Canada..
This week, ahead of a key ice hockey match between two US teams, singer Cami Clune began what has been a tradition for more than half a century: a rendition of the Canadian national anthem. The Buffalo Sabres are an outlier in the National Hockey league as the only team to celebrate their northern neighbours – even when a matchup is between two US-based teams.
But as Clune began with the opening refrain, her microphone malfunctioned and her voice cut out.
A crowd of nearly 20,000 filled the silence.
The vast majority were American – and knew all the words. As the anthem progressed, the crowd grew louder with cheers.
“Well that was interesting!!” Clune wrote on social media afterward. “Thank you all for singing along with me. We have the best fans ever!”
The warm gesture comes amid an increasingly bitter rupture between the two nations that has persisted for more than a year. Last year, a largely Canadian crowd booed the US national anthem during an international tournament hosted in Montréal. Torontonians also jeered the Star Spangled Banner ahead of a game between the Toronto Raptors basketball team and the Los Angeles Clippers.
The root of the tensions lies in Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada and put punishing tariffs on key Canadian industries. The provinces have retaliated by pulling American wine and spirits from their shelves. Canadians have maintained a boycott of travel south that has key tourist destinations panicking and trying to mend the geopolitical rift.
Q&A
Why did fans sing the Canadian anthem at the Buffalo hockey game?
Fans sang the Canadian anthem after the singer's microphone malfunctioned during a key hockey match, continuing a long-standing tradition.
What is the significance of Buffalo's nickname 'City of Good Neighbors'?
The nickname reflects Buffalo's welcoming atmosphere, particularly towards Canadian visitors, especially in light of current tensions between the US and Canada.
How does the Buffalo Sabres' tradition differ from other NHL teams?
The Buffalo Sabres are unique in the NHL for celebrating Canadian culture by singing the Canadian national anthem, even during games between US teams.
