Hockey players belt out 'Sweet Caroline' during power outage at Cape Breton hockey tournament
Two opposing teams singing the Neil Diamond classic “Sweet Caroline” together in the hallway wasn't what anyone expected at the Red Cup Showcase high school hockey tournament in Cape Breton over the weekend.
The County Arena in Coxheath, N.S., went dark that Saturday morning in the opening minute of a game between the Memorial Marauders and Horton High.
As the temperature went down, the music -- and the mood -- got turned up.
"Power went out 30 seconds in. Might as well start a party in the hallway,” said Memorial Marauders player Hudson McGean. "So I [brought] out the speaker and started dancing, buddy."
"When it started, their goalie had come down and he started their train, I think. Then the whole team came and we all started singing together,” explained Marauders captain Daniel Young.
The video has received thousands of shares and likes online.
"You know what? I'm not the least bit surprised, because they're a very good group of young men,” said Memorial head coach Marc Lyle.
The general consensus seems to be that this was a sweet show of sportsmanship.
Lyle said his message has long been that the student-athlete experience is about more than just hockey.
"Go out there and make some memories,” Lyle said. “Have fun. I think that's definitely something they did this weekend. And I think they have a story they can tell for the rest of their lives."
Some are surprised that teens would know most of the words to a song that's more than 50 years old.
Athough a member of the Horton team reportedly requested it, “Sweet Caroline” has held a special meaning to Memorial all season long.
“Every time we win a home game in our rink, we play it in the dressing room,” Young said.
Hockey purists might argue opposing teams aren't supposed to be so friendly.
"You can't be a rival when you play 30 seconds into the game,” McGean said with a shrug.
The power eventually came back on and Horton won 7-2.
"It's a good thing they remember the video and not the score,” McGean joked.
Even Monday at Memorial High School in Sydney Mines, N.S., where the video was all the talk, the players’ respect for their hallway karaoke partners carried on.
"Those guys were a good team all around. Good group of guys too,” Young said.
The Red Cup was eventually won by Dr. J.H. Gillis of Antigonish, N.S., beating the host Riverview Ravens in Sunday’s final.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.