Pucks, Goals, Anthems & Playoff Pageantry (You Tube)

It's my time of year. The Stanley Cup Playoffs. And even better when the Montreal Canadiens are playing well -as is the case now.

One of my favorite parts of the game is before the game starts - the anthems. Here's a sampling. Although this one took place during the regular season (February 19) it was one to remember.

This video is one of the U.S. and Canadian anthems performed by a brass emsemble from The Montreal Symphony Orchestra at the Bell Centre:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wiFKk97rlU

Here's another favorite in Edmonton, where Oiler fans sing O Canada:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk

Then, of course, there is the late Roger Doucet. Here is the tail end of a 1979 rendition of O Canada (If you stay with it, you'll catch Danny Gallivan and Dick Irvin - the best hockey broadcast team of all time - calling a Canadiens-Toronto playoff game):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTJw2lYgXOA

And, finally, south of the border, one can't forget Kate Smith singing God Bless America during the 1970's. At the time, she was a good luck charm for the Philadelphia Flyers. I didn't much like the Broad Street Bullies back then, but sure loved Kate (even in diminished voice):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gHxfGKjA1M