Breadcrumb Trail Links
Fans jumped in to help Sabres anthem singer Cami Clune when her microphone cut out during O Canada
Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox Sign Up
Published Apr 29, 2026 • Last updated 54 minutes ago • 3 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Fans jumped in to help Sabres anthem singer Cami Clune when her microphone cut out during O CanadaArticle content
The best save of this year’s NHL playoffs so far was not made by a goalie but by the fans of the Buffalo Sabres.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Just call this a wonderful piece of Canadian-American diplomacy you won’t not find written up in any trade agreement but did see among hockey fans at KeyBank Center mere minutes across the border.
Article content
Article content
This was not just a microphone malfunction, but a mic drop moment.
As Buffalo singer Cami Clune — famous for appearing on TV’s The Voice and for being a regular anthem singer at Sabres games — started singing O Canada before the Game 5 playoff tilt with the visiting Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, it was clear something was wrong.
Very soon after singing the first line in O Canada, you could see on Clune’s face that something was amiss with her cordless microphone. It was cutting out. She had a look of distress.
No problem. The fans jumped in and took it from there. All 19,070 of them.
Your Midday Sun
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
It was a historic moment as the fans in unison sang the anthem while Clune’s microphone would kick in every once in a while until it finally died for good and the crowd brought it home.
This was a good type of international incident – one with cheering and a standing ovation.
‘Fans didn’t miss a beat’
“Everybody realized it right away,” said former Toronto city councillor Michael Tziretas, who was there with his 28-year-old son James who is a die-hard Sabres fan and was just a kid the last time his team was in the playoffs. “The fans didn’t miss a beat and sang it for her.”
With Michael and James belted it out too.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“It was a warm and friendly moment,” he said. “It was the most special thing I have experienced at a sporting event.”
For a minute there, you’d swear you were in Canada.
However, as regular attendees of Sabres games, Mike and James felt it was 80% Americans there.
“They knew all the words,” said Tziretas, who was on council between 2000 and 2003. “They were making a statement. Sabres fans and the organization have always demonstrated respect for Canadians.”
Former Toronto city councillor Mike Tziretas and son James at the Sabres-Bruins game April 28, 2026. SUBMITTED/TORONTO SUN
“That was a great Canadian moment,” said Justin “Shaker” Van Dette. “There were no words written on the scoreboard to help.”
Fans at the KeyBank Center knows the words since O Canada is played at Sabres games even when there is not a Canadian team on the ice. There are always thousands of Canadians fans in attendance to watch the Sabres and also the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, so there’s nothing unfamiliar with those lyrics to fans in Buffalo.
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
A nice thaw in the relationship
But still, that was a warm and touching moment on American soil that reminds of better days between the two great countries. After both losing the Olympic gold medal game to the U.S. this winter and the whole trade war issue in the second President Donald J. Trump era — where he often talks of making Canada America’s 51st state and has resulted in an economic divorce, this was something special that both sides needed to remind of the close relationship between the two neighbours.
Advertisement 6
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Certainly, Sabres anthem singer Clune was grateful for the assist.
“Well that was interesting!!” she posted on X. “Thank you all for singing along with me. We have the best fans ever! #gosabres #letsgobuffalo“
They are great fans. And they have been amazing in this long-awaited playoff run where the fandemonium has been off the charts.
“The atmosphere there is so eclectic,” said Tziretas.
Cami was handed a new mic and sang The Star-Spangled Banner flawlessly, but her playoff grit and teamwork with the crowd for O Canada will go down in both Sabres history and in Canada and United States diplomacy history too.
The Sabres may have lost the game in overtime, cutting their series lead to 3-2, but what happened before the puck dropped was a win for all.
Article content
Share this article in your social network