James Boccuzzi had never played in front of a crowd as large as Saturday’s.

Around 18,000 fans showed up to the Videotron Centre in Quebec City to watch Boccuzzi and the Greater Boston Junior Bruins’ 2010 Elite squad face off against the Ukraine Team Select in each side's first game in the annual Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. It was unlike any game Boccuzzi had ever played in.

"The most I've played for was probably like, 100, maybe," the 12-year-old goalkeeper said.

That crowd had come to the 120-team youth hockey tournament to cheer on the Ukrainian kids, who have been facing an invasion from the Russian government back home that has forced many on the team to flee their country. Even after Boston wound up losing 3-1, the Junior Bruins took to the ice in a celebration with the Ukrainian players and held up the Ukrainian flag alongside their opponents in an act that goes beyond wins and losses.

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Craig Cashman, head coach of the 2010 Elite Junior Bruins, who were all born in 2010, said that the tournament let them know beforehand that the atmosphere for the game might be a little more exciting than usual.

"It was bigger than I think they all expected," he said. "And you know, they're 12, so I think they don't necessarily get in their head too much about something like that but in the moment I think they were pretty jacked up and psyched and ready to go."

Boccuzzi said he realized that his opponents probably needed support.

"'Cause they haven't been living in a stable or safe home for probably a year now," he said. "And to just have all those people there, it kind of made them feel like they were in a safe place."

Team captain Brendan O'Toole said that the game and everything that happened around it meant a lot for him and his team.

"Well, I feel like it kind of teaches us that hockey is more than a game. It brings many people together," he said. "16, 17, or even 18,000 people came to show respect to both us and Ukraine."

Most pre-teens probably aren't well versed on the intricacies of international politics. Still, Cashman said his squad was pretty well informed on the significance of what was happening.

"They may not understand why what's going on over there is happening, but they can understand that a kid might not be able to go home ever again, right?" he said.

The team was, naturally, bummed about losing. It would have been understandable for them to hurry to the locker rooms as quickly as possible. But Cashman said they were able to have the perspective of the moment, and the boys organically started to take a spin around the rink to celebrate the moment alongside the Ukrainian team.

"This team, they're having a tough time at their home and I don't even think they live in Ukraine anymore," O'Toole said. "So, showing respect to them, it meant a lot for everyone in the stands, definitely meant a lot for me and our team."

The act of solidarity has gained the team far-reaching recognition, including from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who praised the Junior Bruins while on Boston Public Radio's "Ask the Mayor" segment on Tuesday.

"Even in defeat, 3 to 1, the Boston team was so excited, celebrating with them, skated around, celebrating their victory together, so just an important moment of inspiration and sportsmanship and feeling that camaraderie through sports even at such a young age," Wu said.

Cashman's voice was still recovering from having to yell over a pro-level crowd when he spoke to GBH News on Monday, but that didn't take away from a moment he said he'll never forget.

"I could not be more proud of the group of kids and for them to just sort of in that moment act with class," he said. "We always try to preach to them about whether you win or lose, you do it with class and with good sportsmanship and they took it above and beyond. And I couldn't have asked for more from them."