The National Anthem Performance That Excited Hockey Fans Before Canadiens vs. Lightning Game 2
On April 21, 2026, the second game in the playoff series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning was filled with excitement even before the game started. It wasn’t a bold play or a strange decision that got the crowd fired up — it was the national anthem performances at Tampa Bay’s Benchmark International Arena that really sent social media buzzing all over Quebec and more.
The Lightning team brought in their favorite regular singer, Sonya Bryson-Kirksey. She appeared with her usual sparkling blue lipstick and sang the Star-Spangled Banner with her powerful voice and style. Although some people had a few small complaints about how she sang the American anthem, those comments were nothing compared to the huge discussion that started over the Canadian anthem.
Amanda Breivogel’s O Canada Creates a Big Discussion
Amanda Breivogel was chosen to sing O Canada before the important playoff game, and her performance really resonated with hockey fans in Canada. While some people loved her natural singing ability and lively presence, many fans thought her version was too dramatic and went on for too long. Just minutes after her performance, reactions filled Twitter and Facebook, turning what is usually a simple pre-game ritual into a big conversation about what a proper rendition of Canada’s national anthem should be.
A Canadian supporter summed up the feelings well on X when they mentioned it was funny that Tampa Bay chose a singer they thought was just okay for the Canadian anthem, while the American anthem was sung by “a stunning performer with a beautiful deep voice and sparkly blue lipstick. ” The difference between how the two songs were sung turned into a big topic of discussion, with fans making strong comparisons between Bryson-Kirksey’s smooth performance and Breivogel’s more controversial style.
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