A recent high school hockey game in Connecticut featured an ending that is something straight out of a Hollywood movie script.
Nobody would have blamed Notre Dame-West Haven senior defenseman Doug Caliendo if he decided not to suit up for his team’s matchup against a highly-ranked opponent in Northwest Catholic this week. After all, Caliendo’s father died after a long battle with stomach cancer just hours before the game’s opening puck drop.
But Caliendo, a co-captain, elected to play and — on the same day that presumably held one of the saddest moments of his life — he managed to create an incredible memory.
“Knowing my father for so long, he really loved the sport and always wanted me to play,” Doug said. “He would have said, ‘Just get out there and do what I do best.’ ”
After heading into the third period down 2-0, Caliendo’s Green Knights managed to tie the game and force overtime. Then, just 25 seconds into the extra frame, Caliendo stepped up and delivered a slap shot that he’ll likely remember forever. The puck found the back of the net, giving the Scarlet Knights a huge victory and Caliendo’s family a wave of joy that they needed desperately.
It’s said a lot in trying times, but something like this really exemplifies how important sports can be to people. Sure, it’s just a game, but it can also be therapeutic. One slap shot managed to help this kid and his family turn a low point in their life into an incredibly emotional memory they’ll hold with them for a long, long time. It’s a game, but also…it’s not just a game.
Hopefully they’ll be able to frame this moment forever:
(Via GametimeCT)
