WATCH ABOVE: In an extreme display of class, “O Canada” was played prior to Wednesday night’s Penguins/Flyers game at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
On Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins played the Canadian national anthem before their game against the Philadelphia Flyers, paying tribute to a Canadian soldier killed in Ottawa earlier in the day.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight our thoughts and prayers are with our friends in Ottawa and across Canada. Please join us in the singing of ‘O Canada.'”
The crowd sang “O Canada” as the Canadian flag was projected onto the ice.
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot at point-blank range standing guard at the National War Memorial. He later died of his injuries.
Cirillo was a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, based in Hamilton, Ont.
The alleged gunman was shot and killed by the sergeant-at-arms.
The Penguins and Flyers’ rosters are filled with Canadians, including Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
During the game, the Penguins tweeted from their official Twitter account, saying, “Some things are bigger than hockey. Tonight Pens fans sang along with with Canadian anthem.”
A tweet from the official Philadelphia Flyers’ Twitter account echoed those sentiments of support for their “neighbors to the north,” using the hashtag #OttawaStrong, which began trending as a sign of solidarity from those impacted by the shooting in Ottawa.
A game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators was postponed following the attack.
With files from The Associated Press
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