If you have been downtown Denver recently, you can hear the applause and praise for the Avs echoing down the streets as hundreds of fans celebrate over a beer in nearby pubs, toasting on balconies when their team scores. On Friday, the Avalanche will return to the Ball arena for game 5 of the finals, but two of their biggest fans will only be there in spirit.
Ryan Clark lost his best friend Kyle Stark unexpectedly in December of 2021. The two were best friends for over ten years and loved attending the Avs games together at Ball Arena.
After Stark’s funeral, his parents invited Clark to an Avs game at Ball Arena, to celebrate Kyle’s memory. He decided to honor his friend in the best way he could think of.
He requested Stark’s parents bring some of his ashes to the game. Before the game began, Clark went up to the glass and spread some of the ashes over the ice.
Upon seeing the ashes spread on the ice, Clark was questioned by an usher. Admittedly, he answered what he had done. Not long after, Clark received a letter saying he had been banned from Avalanche events at Ball Arena for the rest of the season.
Clark was not banned from all events at Ball Arena, only the Avalanche events for the rest of the season. He has been cheering his team on from home during the playoffs.
Clark said he has no regrets.
If given the chance, he would do it again, with a smile on his face. Because he knows in his heart, this is where his best friend would want to be.
Now that is friendship for you. Go Avs!
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