Anthem Equipment Breaks at HS Game, Crowd's Response Gives Attendees 'Goosebumps'
What could have been an embarrassing technical gaffe at a Massachusetts high school hockey game turned into a rousing exhibition of patriotism.
As WBZ-TV in Boston reports, a game between the Canton High School Bulldogs and the Norwood High School Mustangs on Tuesday ended in a rather lopsided and uneventful 6-1 home win for Canton.
It was what happened before the game that had people buzzing.
With players from both schools lined up for the traditional singing of the national anthem, a prerecorded rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” began playing over the audio system.
Right as the recording of the anthem hit the word “twilight’s,” the audio track went haywire and started repeating itself before it completely cut out.
Amazingly, without skipping a beat, the attendees of the hockey game kept going and finished the anthem.
It was a vividly poignant moment, especially when juxtaposed against the manner in which some other amateur and professional athletes opt to handle the national anthem.
When WBZ interviewed attendees and players, all said they were thrilled with the heartwarming display of patriotism.
Impressively, one attendee noted that it was the younger fans who kept the momentum going.
“All of a sudden, out of nowhere, the kids behind me just start singing,” an unnamed woman told WBZ.
Another attendee admitted that he got “goosebumps” from the sights and the sounds.
The moment was not lost on the players either.
“It was just crazy, it was awesome,” Canton defenseman Jack Connolly told WBZ.
Canton digital teacher Ed McDonough tweeted about the event and seemed genuinely moved by it all.
“A beautiful moment at the start of tonight’s game,” McDonough said. “The recording of the National Anthem stopped but the crowd didn’t skip a beat. They all joined in to sing and finish the song.”
A beautiful moment at the start of tonight’s game. The recording of the National Anthem stopped but the crowd didn’t skip a beat. They all joined in to sing and finish the song. @CantonCommunity @norcommmedia @MIAA033 @CantonHSnews pic.twitter.com/palOxZWcCI
— Ed McDonough (@Digucator) March 6, 2019
Canton remained unbeaten, while Norwood fell out of playoff contention after the road loss.
Regardless of the result, both schools, their fans and the players should all be proud of the patriotic moment they created before the puck ever even hit the ice.
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