The clock is stopped with 1.6 seconds to play in the third period of Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. The New York Rangers are thisclose to winning hockey’s Holy Grail for the fifth time in their storied history.
Eighteen-thousand-two-hundred fans are on their feet. Some are holding their breath. Others are pleading with higher powers for one more assist. A few have their eyes closed, waiting for their ears to reveal the ending.
Except the game isn’t being played at Madison Square Garden and the 18,200 fans who would’ve been there, are instead scattered throughout the Tri-state region, watching the game on television at home.