In case you didn't actually see it live on DirectTV or InDemand Cable that night, let me recap it so that any misconceptions you may have about the situation can be immediately resolved:

The majority of fans attending the Montreal Canadians home game on Thursday night "booed" the performance of the United States National Anthem. Not just at the end, but through the entire thing. This, according to interviews later aired on Montreal Local TV (in French, damn it, so I had to read the subtitles and listen carefully to the translations) and later written in articles appearing on The National Hockey League Website indicated this was an expression of political opposition toward the conflict in Iraq. Immediatly following the national anthems, the broadcasters of the game appologized to the public for the crowd's behavior. They indicated this was not "usual" behavior for Canadian's hockey fans. Later, the president of the Canadian's issued a formal appology - the transcript appears at the very end of my commentary, courtesy again of The NHL Website .

I am not the kind of person who tells someone the view they hold is wrong. Every French-Canadian in Montreal can think that the American's are war-mongering bullies. Thats fine, and when I disagree under normal circumstances I can engage in debate about the topic and "agree to disagree" when applicable. My argument in this case is that there is a time and place to express those views, and during the performance of a national anthem is not the time for vocal protest. Turn away and don't look at the flag.....just like we don't make kids recite the pledge of allegence at school each morning anymore - unless they choose to. We don't allow kids to jeer, boo, or chant while others are reciting the pledge - we ask they respectfully stand quiet. Why should we accept anything less from adults? At the olympics, we never boo any country's national anthem while medal's are being awarded - even when said medal is in dispute! Everyone is polite, and then expresses their discontent in more more appropriate ways. These hockey fans did not do that, and I find it a disgrace.

Now, as a devoted hockey fan (both supporting and attending NJ Devils games since I was old enough to hold a hockey stick, supporting and attending Hershey Bears games since I moved to PA in 1998, and having played hockey for the majority of my life) I understand that fans often get rowdy and shout or jeer opposing players during the pause near the end of the American National Anthem: "Oer the land of the free...(Insert Comment Here)....and the home of the brave!" Often times vulgar insults are shot at opposing teams or players during what seems like an eternity before the singer finishes. But in this specific incident, the crowd didn't wait for the pause - they booed the entire performance.

Now don't tell me they booed the entire anthem because they were trying to rattle the other team.....I don't believe that. I have watched a ton of hockey (40+ games a year live, and more then I care to count on TV almost every night - and thats just this year alone!) This is the FIRST TIME I have ever seen the American National Anthem (either in the US or in Canada) receive boos in my 27 years. Even lousy musical performances of the anthem are politely applauded. (Believe me, as a music teacher, I have heard a ton of lousy performances!)

Meanwhile, all the fans manged to do was get the visiting NY Islanders pumped up. The Islanders wound up winning the game 6-3, and afterward New York's Mark Parrish -- who's from Minnesota -- expressed disappointment with the booing. "I came to the game pretty pumped up, but once I heard that, it really got me going," he said. "So I guess I can thank them a little bit for getting me more pumped up." Serves the Canadian's fans right.

Finally, rest assured that I will not be booing the Canadian National Anthem anytime soon. But I will be rooting for the NY Islanders, the NY Rangers, and the Boston Bruins - all of whom are preventing Montreal from making the playoffs for the 4th consecutive season. Consider it my acceptable form of protest to the "French-Canadian's" lack of courtesy.

FROM THE NHL.COM

Canadiens president apologizes for fans who booed U.S. anthem

MONTREAL (AP) -- The president of the Montreal Canadiens apologized Friday for fans who booed the U.S. national anthem before Thursday night's game against the New York Islanders. "The Montreal Canadiens organization has always held a high respect for its neighbors and friends in the United States, and we look forward to maintaining this strong and positive relationship," Pierre Boivin said in a statement. "We apologize to anyone who may have been offended by this incident, and would encourage all fans at the Bell Centre to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of our game and our two great nations." Before the game, the sellout crowd of 21,273 was asked to "show your support and respect for two great nations" before the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems. But many fans booed throughout "The Star-Spangled Banner," expressing displeasure with the U.S.-led war against Iraq. "It is our firm belief that this kind of behavior has no place in the context of professional sports," Boivin said. Gary Meagher, a league spokesman in Toronto, said the fans' behavior was disappointing but did not reflect widespread resentment. "We don't expect it's going to turn into a league-wide issue," Meagher said. "We're working with the Canadians today, working through some things to try and deal with the situation. It certainly is an isolated one at this point." Meagher said the national anthem began being played at hockey games in 1946 to show respect for players returning from World War II. At that time, usually only the home anthem was played. It wasn't until the 1960s that both anthems were played. It was 1987 before the NHL introduced a rule saying both anthems had to be performed before games involving American and Canadian teams