Boston Bruins Fans Sing National Anthem Before Start Of First Home Game Since Boston Marathon Bombings: Players Show Their Appreciation On And Off The Ice [VIDEO]

The Boston Bruins fans joined in on the singing of the national anthem during the first home-game since the bombings during the Boston Marathon Monday.

It wasn't the only sign of solidarity as the Buffalo Sabres joined the Bruins after their victory as both teams stood on the center ice, saluting the fans with their sticks.

"Before the puck even dropped, the fans filling TD Garden ensured it was a night to remember, raising their voices in unison to deliver a moving rendition of the national anthem. With a blue and yellow ribbon projected on the ice and the Boston Fire Department Honor Guard present to represent the city's first repsonders, singer Rene Rancourt began the song himself. As the volume of the singing in the stands began to increase, Rancourt lowered the microphone. The ensuing sing-along was an emotional moment for a city still reeling from recent tragedy," according to the Huffington Post.

The players were just as emotional as the Boston faithful during the national anthem.

"Me and (Dennis Seidenberg) were standing together during the anthem and just trying to hold it together," Bruins defenseman Andy Ference told reporters. "It was pretty awesome hearing everyone sing like that. Obviously the emotions were pretty high. We all knew this was not just another game. It meant a lot to people as another step. It was no different for us on the ice with the memory of the last couple of days."

Brad Michaels of the Bruins added, "You're around thousands of people you don't know, but it's like we're all one," Boston's Brad Marchand said. "It was special there tonight and very emotional. It was still positive in the way that we had an event and we had cheering and we had people out and about, having a good time,"

Daniel Pallie scored the first goal of the game less than six minutes in. His goal put the Bruins up 1-0. Boston almost won the game, but gave up a goal to Buffalo with less than 30 seconds left in the game.

Sabres went on to win the game in a shootout, but after the game, both teams came together as one to reach out to the fans, the Boston people and the nation.

"We are trying to put on a show for the fans and, hopefully, give them some sort of escape," Buffalo's Drew Stafford said. "With everything that happened, emotions were extremely high tonight. I am sure that there were not a lot of dry eyes in the stands during the anthem."