Almost 14,000 people cheered along as the Ukrainian national anthem rang out in downtown Winnipeg on Tuesday evening.

The Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus performed not only the Canadian anthem ahead of the Jets matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, but also the anthem of their homeland and ancestors.

"It was overwhelming," says Hoosli member Scott Chabluk as he describes the emotions he felt and the response from fans. He's been performing with the chorus for eight years and experienced a number of special and impactful moments, but last night surpasses anything he's experienced.

"Just standing on the ice while Jay Richardson, the in-house announcer was was talking about what was happening in Ukraine and hearing the murmur of the crowd, and then as soon as he introduced us, of course, the crowd erupted, and after we finished singing the Ukrainian national anthem, of course, it was extended applause and it was overwhelming."

The Jets originally invited the men's choir to perform the Canadian anthem for the Jets' first home game since Russia began to invade Ukraine last week. After an outpouring of support on social media from the public, Hoosli was also asked to perform the Ukrainian anthem.

What made the performance even more special is it was the first time the choir has had a public performance since their 50th anniversary celebration in 2019.

"Looking around at the guys, while we were on the ice and there were a lot of guys really struggling to hold back their emotions, myself included," Chabluk says.

"We stand with our community in expressing our sadness for the loss, devastation and continued threat to Ukraine, and we join the world in its calls for peace," Jets announcer Jay Richardson said before introducing the choir. 

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has been bombarding several major cities in the Eastern European country. Chabluk says it's been surreal to watch events unfold. "It's just hard to believe that in 2022, it's actually happening. Knowing how many of us have extended family and some people have their immediate family there. I've never known so many people to be so personally impacted by something going on on the other side of the world. And it's heartbreaking. It's just heartbreaking.

Chabluk says that he and the rest of the choir are grateful for the support of Manitobans. "Thank you so much to everybody who supported us and who supported us being able to get out there and sing. There was a massive social media explosion to have this done, and to be allowed to sing both the Ukrainian anthem, particularly, was special.

"If this message does get back to Ukraine: we support you, we love you, we're thinking of you. Keep keep the faith and keep strong, stay strong, keep fighting."