Tyler Motte reveals heartbreaking reason he pointed to the sky in Game 6.

The New York Rangers picked up a huge victory in Game 6 on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, staving off elimination in their second round Stanley Cup playoff series and forcing a final and deciding Game 7 back in Raleigh, North Carolina on Monday. Unbeknownst to many though the game was especially meaningful for veteran New York Rangers forward Tyler Motte and his family.

Motte, who was traded to the Rangers on March 21st prior to the National Hockey League's trade deadline, would score a huge goal during the course of the game when he opened the scoring just a little over 7 minutes into the game's very first period. Some keen observers noticed that Motte was very subdued following the goal and performed an unusual goal celebration, pointing his finger to the sky with a sollem look on his face.

Following the game Motte was asked by ESPN's Emily Kaplan about the gesture and it was there that the 27 year old centerman would reveal that he and his family had recently lost a loved one and that this game and likely the goal that he scored had been an important one for him.

"Ummmm," began an emotional Motte with a tremble in his voice. "Couple days ago my fiancée's grandmother passed away, I spent yesterday in Michigan going to a service and just being with them and to have one... it was special."

Motte was quite noticeably choking back tears as he spoke to Kaplan, but he also revealed that the entire tragedy may have also helped him with Motte revealing that he may have had an angel on his shoulder this evening.

"Some of that family is in the building here, just felt like I had a little help that's all," said Motte blinking back his tears.

Motte may not be wrong, that goal he scored to open the game just barely managed to find a way to squeak past Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta. 

Reading the words doesn't really do it justice though and if you've got the time I would highly recommend giving Motte a listen in the short clip provided below.