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Fans suffering Golden Knights hangover after high hopes dashed

Posted at 10:17 PM, Jun 08, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-09 18:47:05-04

Believe.

It was a big part of the Golden Knights marketing push during the "impossible" playoff run, but it's also why watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup left many fans and players with a bit of a hangover.

"We were all riding that wave with the rest of the community and the players and the city," said Tammy Shield-Rice, a licensed clinical social worker with Oasis Counseling. 

That's why experts say many fans may be feeling the same grief from the Golden Knights Stanley Cup loss that many experience when losing a loved one.

"Feeling that loss from the game last night was very much that same physical sensation," Shield-Rice said.

She said even though many of the players and fans say they understand the importance of the season, it doesn't seem like they've fully processed their grief.

"When we slow it down we will be able to see it was a special year," Ryan Carpenter said.

"Looking back it will be a season we never forget," Cody Eakin said.

While it may take a few days or even weeks for players and fans alike to process the sadness of coming up just three wins short of their ultimate goal, in the end, the Golden Knights gave the city just what was needed.

"The Knights gave us a tremendous distraction," Shield-Rice said.

The Golden Knights confirmed Friday however they will not be part of any postseason celebrations of the incredible inaugural season.