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
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.