It's not often a game between two teams eliminated from playoff contention can be categorized as a tearjerker, but Sunday night's Carolina Hurricanes' shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers was just that.
Former Blackhawk Bryan Bickell was at the center of it after being tapped by Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters to leadoff the shootout.
The 31-year-old forward was playing in his final NHL game due to multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system disease that he was diagnosed with nearly five months ago. Bickell has been going through monthly treatment but did not think maintaining a hockey career was possible.