For NHL games where an American team faces off against a Canadian one, it’s customary for both country’s national anthems be performed. When the Anaheim Ducks visited Edmonton to play the Oilers in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup playoff series, Canadian country music star Brett Kissel stepped to the mic to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in honor of Edmonton’s American guests. But the mic didn’t cooperate.
So Kissel decided to lead the most unlikely of sing-alongs. He raised his hands in the air to call on the 18,000 Canadians to do the singing for him, confident enough that the crowd would know the words and melody to America’s anthem. And the Oilers fans didn’t disappoint, belting out a rousing version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Yesterday’s sing-along brought back echoes of the 2006 playoff series between these two teams, which first made Edmonton fans famous for singing an anthem. That year, when the Ducks and Oilers played in Anaheim, American fans actually booed the Canadian national anthem during its Stateside performance. So, when the series went to Edmonton, the Oilers fans responded, not by booing, but by showing respect for their neighbor and pride in their country. When “The Star-Spangled Banner” was performed, they cheered. Then singer Paul Lorieau sang the first few lines of “O Canada,” and as he sensed the crowd was singing along full-throated, he hoisted his microphone above his head and let the fans take over for him. The moment became legendary in Canada, and it turned into a tradition for the Oilers. Throughout the rest of the 2006 playoffs, the crowd sang the anthem, fueling Edmonton’s improbable run to the Stanley Cup Finals, where the team hadn’t been in 16 years.
The Oilers fans may have helped get their opponents too pumped up yesterday though, with the American team winning the game 6-3 to take a lead in the series. Let’s see if Ducks fans practice up on “O Canada” to sing it when the series returns to Anaheim.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.