When Rene Rancourt, Bruins Fans Sang an Emotional National Anthem
April 17, 2013. Days after the Marathon bombings, the Bruins returned to the Garden. And Rene Rancourt made a moment to remember. Boston sports fans fans know Rancourt well: the…
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
April 17, 2013. Days after the Marathon bombings, the Bruins returned to the Garden. And Rene Rancourt made a moment to remember.
Boston sports fans fans know Rancourt well: the Lewiston, Maine native performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" (and "O Canada" when there was a Canadian team on the visitor's bench) at Boston Bruins home games for 42 years. But did you know the opera singer actually had his anthem debut at a Red Sox game? He sang before Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. A year later, he would become a fixture at the Garden, with his signature post-anthem fist-pump cementing him in Bruins lore.
The Bruins were the first Boston team to host a sporting event in the city after the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013. They faced off against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden on April 17. The city was still reeling from the bombings, the suspects were still at-large, and emotions were running high, understandably. Bostonians had never gone through anything like they were going through. They needed a moment of catharsis. Thankfully, Rene Rancourt delivered...with a little help from about 20,000 Bruins fans.
When Rene Rancourt, Bruins Fans Sang an Emotional National Anthem
"Ladies and gentlemen, please join together, and sing loudly with Rene Rancourt as he performs tonight's National Anthem. Representing all of Boston's first responders, please welcome the Boston Fire Department Honor Guard to present tonight's colors." The public address announcer could barely get those sentences out over the roar of the sold-out Garden crowd. Moments later, Rancourt took his spot on the ice. After the opening lines of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the singer backed off of the mic and the crowd took over.
It remains to this day one of the most touching, moving, and emotional moments in Boston sports history. Thank you, Rene. We'll always cherish the moment you helped create.
Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Run: Looking Forward, Looking Back
The Boston Bruins Stanley Cup run, 2023 edition, begins tonight at the Garden. Let's take a look back before we move forward.
June 15, 2011. A day generations of Boston sports fans had waited so long for. The Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, on the road in Vancouver. Unlike so many moments leading up to that pivotal Game 7, this one was decidedly not a nail-biter. Patrice Bergeron scored in the first period, then again in the second. Brad Marchand scored in the second, then again in the third. Tim Thomas saved every damn shot sent his way, cementing his status as a Boston sports folk hero.
The win was a cathartic moment for fans. It ended a 39-year Stanley Cup drought for the Bruins, who had last hoisted the Cup in 1972. There was a guy named Bobby Orr on the team. Maybe you've seen his statue in front of the Garden. It also brought the Bruins into the modern-day fold of Boston's championship teams: with their cup win, each of the four major Boston teams had won at least one championship in their particular sport in the first decade of the 2000's. City of Champions.
Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Run: Looking Forward, Looking Back
Will the 2023 Bruins recapture the magic of 2011? That remains to be seen. We hope so, of course. And the numbers are in their favor: they're coming into the postseason as the winningest regular-season team of the salary cap era. Which is bragworthy, of course. But it pales in comparison to winning the Stanley Cup. Our sister station The Sports Hub has a preview of their first-round matchup against the Florida Panthers. I have a collection of photos from that legendary 2011 Game 7 below to get you all fired up.
Go, Go, Black and Gold!
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins puts on his helmet prior to the start of Game Seven against the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Daniel Paille #20 of the Boston Bruins collides with Alexander Edler #23 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Raffi Torres #13 of the Vancouver Canucks draws contact from Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins as David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins makes a save against the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal in the second period against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal in the second period against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with his teammates Brad Marchand #63 after scoring a goal in the first period against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks checks Johnny Boychuk #55 of the Boston Bruins during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Gregory Campbell #11 after he scored the 3rd goal in the second period against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: The Boston Bruins celebrates after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrates winning the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Milan Lucic (L) #17 and the Boston Bruins president Cam Neely (R) celebrate after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins celebrates winning the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Patrice Bergeron #37, Mark Recchi #28, Shawn Thornton #22, and Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Vancouver Canucks - Game Seven
VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 15: Shane Hnidy #34 and Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4 to 0. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
