Prompt 2:
The nerves coming from close games are off the charts in my opinion. They say the hardest lead in hockey is a 2-goal lead because you can get complacent. Although that may be true, 1-goal games can be just as nerve wracking. In the case of a 1-goal lead, you are on edge the entire time as a single simple slipup could mean all momentum can shift away from you. Even if you feel like turtling and going for a full defense, you allow the other team to get momentum and pressure mounting. This can lead directly to the second scenario, the tie game late in the third period. Both teams know that they want to end the game in regulation, not only for standings but also to conserve energy for the next game as well as reduce injury risk. At the same time, you are being put under pressure to at the very least keep things even to get that OT point. One slipup and you fall into the third scenario, falling behind by 1-goal. This is a hard one on a few different levels. First, you know you need to score to even keep the chance of getting a point, but you also don't want to go full offense and no defense as you open the risk of falling further behind. Even still, this is a scenario where you have little to lose by not taking risks and therefore of the 3 I feel it is the least stressful.