When word surfaced that Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal would combine for a simultaneous ceremony to honor fallen soldiers before Saturday’s games, many expected emotional scenes. It turns out that tribute was even more moving than anticipated.
Here’s video of the beautiful scene out of the three hockey hotbeds:
(Hockey Night in Canada’s intro was fantastic in its own right.)
Those on hand snapped some fascinating photos of the ceremonies:
True North Strong and Free pic.twitter.com/iPbcxI6zud
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 25, 2014
Inside the ACC right now pic.twitter.com/Swq0xydglX
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) October 25, 2014
Inside Canadian Tire Centre pic.twitter.com/LZWHoVo5oF
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) October 25, 2014
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 25, 2014
Powerful pre-game ceremony here in Ottawa to honour two fallen soldiers. pic.twitter.com/hGcdqrreut
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) October 25, 2014
Before tonight’s game @Senators @NHLDevils &20,000 patriotic hockey fans standing UNITED in Ottawa. #TrueNorthStrong pic.twitter.com/m5aGeZ0hQz
— Eugene Melnyk (@MelnykEugene) October 25, 2014
The image of the @Senators and @NHLDevils standing together on this ice before the game gives me chills ❤️🍁 pic.twitter.com/SXRZsz3f2y
— Theresα Kirklαnd (@theresak95) October 25, 2014
The Senators, Maple Leafs and Canadiens honored Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Office Patrice Vincent in a tremendous way tonight.
Related: Tributes from around the league.