Buffalo Sabres Fans Sing ‘O Canada’ After Microphone Malfunction During Playoff Game
During Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round playoff series between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins on April 28, 2026, fans at KeyBank Center spontaneously sang “O Canada” after the microphone of the Canadian national anthem singer, Cami Clune, failed mid-performance. The incident highlighted a long-standing tradition in Buffalo of honoring both the Canadian and American national anthems before home games.
A Tradition Rooted in Proximity and Fanbase
The Buffalo Sabres are unique among NHL teams in the United States for routinely playing both “O Canada” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games. This practice stems from the city’s close proximity to the Canadian border – less than five miles – and a significant Canadian fanbase, including many season-ticket holders.
KeyBank Center is located just a short distance from the border, fostering a strong connection with Canadian hockey enthusiasts. The team’s name itself reflects this connection; “Sabres” was chosen over the Americanized spelling “sabers” after being submitted by a Toronto filmmaker, Harry Cole, in a team-naming contest in the late 1960s.
Fans Step In During Technical Difficulty
As Cami Clune began singing “O Canada” before the game, a microphone malfunction abruptly cut off the audio. Without hesitation, the crowd at KeyBank Center took over, continuing to sing the anthem a cappella. A video of the event posted by the Buffalo Sabres on X (formerly Twitter) quickly went viral.
That’s how we do it in Buffalo. ❤️🤍 https://t.co/MpJyH8kW9u
— y – Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 28, 2026
Clune was subsequently provided with a working microphone and successfully performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
A Unique NHL Practice
While uncommon for U.S.-based NHL teams to play the Canadian national anthem, the Sabres have maintained this tradition for many years. Detroit is the only other NHL city that regularly includes both anthems before games.
Sabres Lead Bruins in Playoff Series
As of April 29, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres lead the Boston Bruins 3-1 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference First Round playoff series. Game 6 is scheduled to be played in Boston.