National Hockey League
"God Bless America" has been performed at home games of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers and those of the Ottawa Senators in which the visiting team is from the United States. (The NHL requires arenas in both the U.S. and Canada to perform both "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "O Canada", the Canadian national anthem, at games that involve teams from both countries.)
At some Flyers' home games, especially during big games and the playoffs, their main anthem singer, Lauren Hart has sung "God Bless America" alternating lyrics with Kate Smith on a video screen. Kate Smith actually appeared in person to sing at select Flyers games, including their 1974 Stanley Cup clinching game against the Boston Bruins, to which she received a thunderous ovation from the passionate Philadelphia fans. Before games whenever God Bless America is performed, Lou Nolan, the PA announcer for the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center would say: "Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we ask that you please rise and remove your hats and salute to our flags and welcome the number 1 ranked anthemist in the NHL, Lauren Hart, as she sings (if the visiting team is from Canada, O Canada, followed by) God Bless America, accompanied by the great Kate Smith."
At some Senators' home games since 2000–01, if the visiting team is from the U.S., their main anthem singer, Ontario Provincial Police Constable Lyndon Slewidge, has sung "God Bless America" and "O Canada." An example of this came during the Senators' home opener during the 2002-03 season, when they were home against the New Jersey Devils.
On special occasions, the Buffalo Sabres will substitute "The Star Spangled Banner" with "God Bless America." When this happens, Ronan Tynan is brought in to sing the song, while usual anthem singer Doug Allen sings "O Canada" as he usually does.
Read more about this topic: God Bless America, Notable Public Performances, Sports Events
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