WWII veteran sings anthem before Islanders game

Islanders Honor WWII Veteran with Anthem Performance

The New York Islanders are known for their special national anthem performances, and their recent game against the New York Rangers showcased that perfectly. Before the game kicked off at UBS Arena, 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominic Critelli took to the ice, proudly wearing a blue Islanders jersey. He performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” on his saxophone, and, once he finished, the crowd erupted in chants of “USA.”

Critelli’s story is quite remarkable. He immigrated to the U.S. from Italy as a young boy and saw combat in World War II, spending 151 days in battle. His bravery included flying behind enemy lines to deliver supplies to U.S. forces. Over the years, he was honored with several medals, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. He also fought in significant battles like the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy Landings.

Before his performance, he expressed his love for America, saying, “I love this country. If I had not come to this country, I would have stayed with Mussolini.” It’s clear that he’s proud of his journey and the life he’s built here.

As for the game itself, the Islanders secured a solid 2-0 victory over their rivals. Goaltender David Rittich was impressive, making 27 saves and achieving his ninth career shutout. He notably denied shots from Rangers stars like Will Quill and Artemi Panarin.