From the Bleachers
with Rich Summers
Sudden death overtime in sports is so difficult to watch but the most gut-wrenching viewing comes in the Stanley Cup playoffs. When the games go to overtime every shot by the Penguin opponents, no matter how weak, creates a knot in the stomach. Hockey has virtually no stoppages in play leaving no time to catch our breath and the longer it goes on, the worse the anxiety gets.
To top it off, the game can end in seconds or go on for as many as ninety-two extra minutes like it did for the Pens in a loss to the Flyers in the 2000 playoffs. Like a train wreck, it is awful to watch but impossible to turn off.