WATCH: New York Islanders Fans Belt National Anthem Ahead of UBS Opener

ELMONT, N.Y. — A tradition that caught on during the playoffs and caught national headlines was back on Saturday night at the New York Islanders opener at UBS Arena.

The 17,200 fans in attendance sang the American national anthem along with anthem signer Nicole Raviv before the puck dropped between the Islanders and Calgary Flames. The tradition had started last season during the playoffs after Raviv experienced technical difficulties with her mic ahead of Game 4 of the Isles’ series with the Boston Bruins.

The moment went viral and fans continued with through the rest of the playoffs. They revived it for New York’s first game back on Long Island after playing the first 13 games on the road while the finishing touches were put on UBS Arena.

#Isles fans continuing the tradition of singing the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/IlZsXMSW6U

— Christian Arnold (@C_Arnold01) November 21, 2021

New York Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky had called on fans to continue the tradition from last year during a recent tour of UBS Arena just a week prior to the opener. The comment came during a tour that he had led for military veterans on Veterans Day.

“The fact that our fans have embraced the notion of what it means to be an American,” Ledecky said at the time. “We’re hopeful that tradition will continue at UBS Belmont Arena. It’s another way of saying thank you to those who serve our country.”