I know I have strayed from my main theme a few times but I only do so if something interesting or important catches my eye. To wit, the real class shown by Buffalo Sabres organization and fans. Prior to the beginning of major professional sports games, there is the playing or singing of the national anthem or anthems. Whether in Canada or the U.S., if both teams are from one country, one anthem is played/sang and if one is from Canada and the other the U.S., then both anthems are played/sang. The quality varies, but I won’t go there!
I have been watching the playoff series between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers (the best of the bunch right now) and despite the fact that two American teams are playing, both the Canadian and U.S. anthems are sang prior to the game. I presume this is because more than a few of the fans in attendance are from Canada; I know most of the television audience is from Canada based on the NHL ratings in the U.S. Nevertheless, it is a classy gesture by the Buffalo Sabres organization to recognize this and show such respect for the Canadian fans and country. The fans listen respectfully and cheer loudly when the Canadian anthem is complete. Again, real class on their part because there have been far too many instances, on both sides of the border, of fans dissing the other team’s national anthem. Thank you!
Filed under: anthems, Buffalo Sabres
