MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
In Buffalo, New York, last night, the Sabres faced off against the Boston Bruins - Game 5 of the Round 1 playoff series.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
All the joyful pregame chaos ensued - the flashing lights, the music, the players warming up before the game. Then the PA announcer geared up the fans for the U.S. and Canadian anthems.
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UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: And now the singing of "O Canada" and "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed tonight by Cami Clune.
KELLY: But soon after Clune began singing "O Canada," the microphone began to malfunction.
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CAMI CLUNE: (Singing) O Canada, our home and native...
SUMMERS: Those dropouts continued, which is a performer's worst nightmare.
KELLY: Uh-huh.
SUMMERS: But the crowd at the arena in Buffalo stepped up in a big way. They belted out the anthem themselves.
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CLUNE: (Singing) With...
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: (Singing) With glowing hearts...
CLUNE: (Singing) We...
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: (Singing) We see thee rise...
CLUNE: (Singing) The True...
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: (Singing) The True North...
CLUNE: (Singing) Strong and...
UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: (Singing) Strong and free.
KELLY: OK, to be clear, this was a Boston-Buffalo game, an all-American matchup, but the Sabres traditionally sing "O Canada" before every game because of their proximity to Canada. The singer was given a working mic in time for "The Star-Spangled Banner."
SUMMERS: Oh, and by the way, they did play that game.
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UNIDENTIFIED SPORTSCASTER: Stretch pass on. Pastrnak in, scores.
SUMMERS: Boston won in overtime, bringing the series to 3-2, with the Sabres still ahead.
KELLY: Despite losing Game 5, though, the Sabres no doubt have won over a lot of new Canadian fans who'll be rooting for them. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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