Saxophonist wows Hurricanes fans with anthem

The Carolina Hurricanes brought saxophone player Barney Branch in to perform the national anthem before their game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, and as usual he delivered the goods.

Branch provided a smooth, soulful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at PNC Arena, and even got a few mid-anthem "woos" from the crowd on hand.
Branch, a Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina native
whose influences include
The Doors, Eric Clapton and B.B. King, has wowed crowds by performing the anthem at Hurricanes games in the past. He perfected his rendition with plenty of practice.

This anthem didn't quite rock
like Metallica's
at the Stanley Cup Final in San Jose, or Gary Hoey's
earlier this season
in Boston, but it worked for those who like their anthem a little bit more jazzy and smooth.