LOS ANGELES — In Los Angeles, the Kings once again featured the senior harmonica players whose performance of the U.S. national anthem became a phenomenon before their initial playoff game.
The Harmonica Class from the Koreatown Senior and Community Center was invited back by the Kings for their second performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” this time before Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night.
Just two days prior, their rendition of the anthem before Game 1 had gone massively viral. The Kings` home crowd in downtown LA embraced the unexpected performance, singing along enthusiastically to the touching harmonica version that garnered millions of social media views.
Following their appearance in traditional Korean attire for Game 1, the group wore black Kings jerseys for the second game. Their performance was met with thunderous applause both before and after.
Given the Kings` thrilling 6-5 victory in Game 1, the Harmonica Class might just be their new good luck charm.
Los Angeles boasts the largest Korean American population in the country. The Koreatown area, where the senior center is located, is just a short distance northwest of downtown.
Tristan Blackwood