[VIDEO] Boston Bruins fans take over national anthem in emotional pre-game ceremony

Ahead of Wednesday night's Bruins game against the Buffalo Sabres, Boston fans watched a package honoring first responders and scenes from their city in the aftermath of the bombing at the Marathon finish line, set to Phillip Phillips's "Home." But things really got emotional when the TD Garden crowd took over "The Star-Spangled Banner" from longtime anthem singer Rene Rancourt, who started the song but ceded it to fans after the first few bars (around the 3:00 mark). Fans wiped tears from their eyes in the stands while the players looked visibly moved on the ice.

Rancourt, who has sung the national anthem at Bruins games for more than 35 years, said he was worried his emotions would overwhelm him during the performance.

“I’m sure that the people didn’t even realize how much help I actually did need. It was wonderful. The sound was carrying me, lifting me up in the room. It was just something indescribable," Rancourt said in an interview with WEEI's Dennis & Callahan Thursday.

"I’m afraid I would have probably broken up a few times during the anthem. I’m not ashamed to admit that,” he said.