The NHL family sends heartfelt thoughts of condolence, comfort & courage to those touched by the tragedy in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/LjCuqpNDob — #StanleyCup Final (@NHL) June 13, 2016

It's become an all too familiar tradition to have a customary moment of silence before games following a tragedy.

On Sunday night in San Jose before Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, it was no different.

Perhaps it was the rawness of the shooting in Orlando happening not even 24 hours ago. Perhaps it was the the number of the victims and survivors. Whatever the reason, the normally raucous hockey crowd stayed completely silent for the entirety of the moment of silence.

A moment of silence for the victims and their families of the Orlando tragedy. https://t.co/9fBmdI69YP — NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 13, 2016

In the wake of senseless tragedies such as the one in Orlando, we feel so helpless. We look to sports as a distraction for a few hours from the harsh realities of the world around us.

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.

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