The game-winner would need to be deeper than 15 feet and hopefully be preceded by some kind of ridiculous scramble or smack of desperation. It’s all a hypothetical right now, because this hasn’t happened in the modern era. In fact, no Finals Game 7 has ever gone to OT or ended on a buzzer-beater.
1. NHL Stanley Cup Final - OT Goal
Hockey is unique in that it’s sudden-death AND the possession alternates quickly and without any sort of cadence or boundaries (downs, innings, shot clocks). Once a hockey Game 7 goes to overtime, the whole thing (game, series, playoff run, season!) is seconds away from crashing down around you at any moment. It’s a gut-wrenching existence.
Panic. Cathartic relief. Desperation. And that’s BEFORE the game actually ends. And that’s what it does… it ends. No injury time, kneel downs or spread-killing free throws to bleed it out.
It’s one situation that brings “sudden death” momentarily out of its cliche shell. Over the last half-century, there have been nine Game 7’s in the Stanley Cup Finals, including four this decade. None have gone to overtime.
The last Cup Final Game 7 overtime goal came in 1954 and was only televised in “Canadia” on CBC. That series was also the last time, prior to this season, the Stanley Cup started with games on back-to-back nights.
But there’s more… That 1954 game winner that touched off an instant celebration for the home crowd was scored by Tony Leswick of… the Detroit Red Wings.
You stand by, Shirley Bassey. You just stand by.
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