The phrase “Game 7” is quite possibly the most exciting two words that a sports fan can hear.
With everything on the line, there is a certain amount of intensity in a Game 7 that is unmatched to any ordinary playoff game. While Game 7’s are enjoyable in the NBA and MLB, there is nothing more gut-wrenching and nerve-wracking than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For just the fifth time in NHL history, hockey fans were treated to three Game 7’s in one night April 30, and the games did not disappoint.
The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers got things going in entertaining fashion with the Rangers coming out on top 2-1 at Madison Square Garden to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to play the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Los Angeles Kings faced the San Jose Sharks in the second of the three Game 7’s, and while the game wasn’t close — L.A. won 5-1 — history was made, as the Kings became the fourth team in NHL history to erase a 3-0 series deficit to win 4-3.
https://twitter.com/LAKings/status/461733858119913472
Perhaps the most entertaining game of the night did not finish until the early morning hours on the East Coast. The Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche were tied 2-2 heading into the third period when the Avalanche scored to take a 3-2 lead. The Wild answered back to tie the game at 3-3 only to allow another Colorado goal with less than 10 minutes left. In an impressive display of heart and determination, the Wild scored with 2:27 to play to knot the game once again. That goal set up something even better than just Game 7: overtime in Game 7.
In a true “do or die” situation, there is little room for error in overtime of any game, but especially in Game 7. The Avalanche had its chances in the first few minutes of the overtime period, but it was a Nino Niederreiter wrist shot that lifted the Wild over the Avalanche, 5-4, and into the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdObkVJqhB8
Sure, the NBA and MLB playoffs are entertaining as well, but they can’t touch the NHL. A perfect example was the atmosphere in Columbus as the Blue Jackets, who were making just their second playoff appearance in franchise history, took on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Columbus fans came out in full force for every home game, and considering the team is located in one of the smallest markets in the league, they were impressively loud.
In Game 6 on April 28, the Penguins took a 4-0 lead into the third period, but with their season on the line, the Blue Jackets battled back to make it 4-3 late in the game. Though the Blue Jackets fell short and lost the series, the enthusiasm showed for hockey in an untraditional hockey market like Columbus was truly remarkable. That’s what hockey is all about.
Look at the NBA playoff series between the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers as a comparison. The Hawks have struggled to attract fans to their games (28th in NBA in attendance) the entire season, but the team still managed to make the playoffs as a No. 8 seed despite a losing regular season record.
The Hawks currently lead the top-seeded Pacers 3-2 in the first round of the playoffs, but you would never realize it by watching one of their games. Sure, fans show up because it’s the playoffs, but the atmosphere is lagging behind that of a Stanley Cup Playoff game. According to slamonline.com, ticket prices for Game 6 of the Hawks-Pacers series that was played in Atlanta are down 34 percent.
It’s pretty crazy to think the Columbus Blue Jackets have a more dedicated fan base than that of the Atlanta Hawks, but that is the reality. I’d take a Blue Jackets fan over a Hawks fan any day of the week because for a Blue Jackets fan, being in the playoffs matters, as every team truly believes it has the chance the championship. In the NBA, it’s almost as if three-quarters of the league is resigned to the fact that either the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, or Oklahoma City Thunder will be crowned victors come early June.
If three Game 7’s in the first round of the playoffs are any indication of the future, hockey fans are in for a treat the rest of the way. And with four teams thought to be Stanley Cup contenders from the beginning of the season in Chicago, Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Boston, the matchups should be highly contested.
The Quarterfinals was as compelling as advertised, and it’s only May 2. There is still a full month left of the greatest spectacle in sports: the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I can’t wait.