Madison Square Garden is not called “The World’s Most Famous Arena” for nothing. It is not only where every athlete dreams of playing but also the center of New York Sports. With the Knicks and Rangers both in the midst of impressive playoff runs, it creates the chance for truly iconic moments, and Italians across the NBA and NHL are seizing the opportunity.
Donte DiVincenzo was the first athlete of Italian descent to hit a game-winner this week, sinking a deep three-point field goal with 40 seconds left to put the Knicks up three over the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Indiana failed to convert on their next possession, with DiVincenzo drawing a key offensive foul to seal the victory for New York. “The Big Ragù” posted 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 5 three-pointers in the winning effort.
Vincent Trocheck was the next Italian to ice a second-round postseason contest at MSG. In Game 2 of the Rangers-Hurricanes series, the center delivered the long-awaited go-ahead goal in double overtime with just over a minute to play to complement an earlier assist. He has now scored in five straight playoff games, with each goal seemingly more spectacular than the last.
Trocheck’s grandmother is from Calabria, and he embraces the family values that she promotes. “I thought from a young age that family was always the most important thing in life,” said Trocheck in a previous statement. “I just look at it that way in all aspects of life, including hockey — when you have a close family or close team, it makes everything else a little easier.” In addition to her family-oriented approach, his grandmother is also known for her cooking amongst the team, having hosted the Rangers for dinner for two straight years when the team visits his hometown of Pittsburgh. Chicken parm, rigatoni, arancini, meatballs, linguine with shrimp and scallops, chicken cutlets, and braciole graced the supper table, in typical nonna fashion.
As the NBA and NHL Playoffs continue, Italians inside and outside of New York will be rooting for these two as they live out the dreams of many.
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