Fans will gather at Ball Arena on Friday night for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final with a chance to see the Avalanche take down the Lightning for their first title in 21 years, but one die-hard won’t be allowed to attend.
Ryan Clark lost his best friend Kyle Stark unexpectedly last December. The pair loved to attend Avalanche games together at Ball Arena after meeting as coworkers in 2009, then becoming roommates and best friends. Stark was the best man at Clark’s wedding. They bonded over their love of hockey.
When Stark suddenly died just days before Christmas, Clark knew how to honor his late friend.