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Crowd quiet for U.S. anthem

MONTREAL — The Bell Centre crowd remained almost silent for the U.S. national anthem prior to Game 4 of the Montreal Canadiens playoff series after booing the anthem in the previous game.

MONTREAL — The Bell Centre crowd remained almost silent for the U.S. national anthem prior to Game 4 of the Montreal Canadiens playoff series after booing the anthem in the previous game.

Only one or two isolated boos were heard after Charles Prevost-Linten sang the Star Spangled banner, and the crowd didn’t even do its usual Go Habs Go chant during the anthems.

Coach and general manager Bob Gainey had appealed on Tuesday to fans to find another way than booing to show their support for the team. And, before they were sung, house announcer Michel Lacroix asked fans to show “respect” for the Canadian and U.S. anthems.

Booing the U.S anthem has been an issue during the playoffs in recent years. In the past, Montreal would run a video on the scoreboard of Canadiens great Jean Beliveau asking people to show respect.