'Something Really Special': 12,000 NHL Fans Take Over for Anthem Singer to Deliver Stunning Rendition

By Erin Coates June 10, 2021 at 10:12am

Hockey fans gave a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Wednesday, taking over for the national anthem singer before a playoff game between the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins.

Singer-songwriter Nicole Raviv regularly performs the national anthem before Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum, according to the NHL.

Her microphone was having technical issues before Saturday’s Game 4 in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The 12,000 fans in attendance quickly jumped in and helped her sing as the microphone cut in and out.

#isles fans are heroes. This is more anthem footage from the most memorable performance. Gona miss this barn… pic.twitter.com/XoN1mUvO1D

— Nicole Raviv (@thenicoleraviv) June 7, 2021

The microphone was working properly before Game 6 on Wednesday night, but the Islanders faithful still joined in.

Raviv pointed the microphone at the crowd as they all sang together.

“I didn’t think @thenicoleraviv could sing the anthem any better than she normally does at #isles games,” sportscaster Shannon Hogan tweeted.

“But that right there was something really special.”

Raviv replied, “I’m not crying you’re crying.”

I’m not crying you’re crying https://t.co/AmAHeHsaYx

— Nicole Raviv (@thenicoleraviv) June 9, 2021

The Islanders went on to eliminate the Bruins with a 6-2 win to move on to the semifinals, the NHL reported.

New York will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round.

Brock Nelson scored two goals and goalkeeper Semyon Varlamov made 23 saves on 25 shots.

“Brock just had a child the other day with his wife, so he’s been dealing with that,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said.

“Game 4, he played that night with no sleep. He’s been battling through that. … I think today, you saw him fresh. He settled in and played a Brock Nelson game.”

The Islanders have trailed 2-1 in each of the first two rounds of the playoffs. They rallied to win three in a row to dispatch the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.

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Tags:

Boston Bruins, Hockey, National anthem, New York Islanders, NHL, Patriotism, Sports, U.S. News

Erin Coates

Contributor, News

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.

Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.

Birthplace

Tucson, Arizona

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated with Honors

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon

Books Written

Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future

Location

Prescott, Arizona