Seven Reasons to Feel Better on Gameday
May 18th, 2010, 9:41 am
Keeping the Dream Alive.
REASON #1
Did you know that the teams that have won Game 1 of the previous 12 playoff series this Spring have only won four (33%) of the series outright? Did that settle your stomach a little bit? Surprising stat actually, but it’s the way this wacky Stanley Cup playoffs has gone in 2010.
REASON #2
Did you know that when Antti Niemi plays a beauty of a game in a series he sometimes follows it with a stinker? It’s true.
April 18th shutout vs. Nashville, April 20th 4 goals allowed and .886%.
April 22nd shutout vs. Nashville, April 24th 4 goals allowed and .810%.
May 5th 5-2 win and .939% vs. Vancouver, May 7th 4 goals allowed and .867%.
Please fill in the blanks for tonight, Mr. Niemi.
REASON #3
The Sharks got 45 shots on goal, which was 10 shots more than any team has earned against the Blackhawks this entire playoff run. For a team that prides itself on limiting shots on their rookie goalie – 29.4 average shots allowed in the playoffs and a league leading 25.1 shots allowed in the regular season – you gotta figure if the Sharks can keep this up, they’re gonna win this series.
REASON #4
The Sharks haven’t lost back to back games in two months. It gets better…
REASON #5
Did you know the Sharks haven’t lost back to back home games since December 5th and 9th? They’re not going to suddenly forget how to win at home. It gets better…
REASON #6
The Sharks lost Game 1 vs. Colorado, they won Game 2. They lost Game 3, they won Game 4. They got crushed in Detroit, they closed them out the next game. Enough said.
REASON #7
Every time I write a post like this, the boys win. I’ve done my part…
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Excellent post Doug.
I can barely wait.
This team surprised me so many times this winter/spring, that I’m confident tonight.
Also, taking my lucky son to the game. He’s 2.5 y.o. and in 10 times he’s been to HP, he’s never seen a loss. He thinks they win all the time. Last time he was at the game the Sharks beat the Flames 9-1.
Your comment has just been declared Reason #8 by the Dudes.
Haha – works for me.
The boy’s been talking about going to the game for weeks now.
It’s time.
Wasn’t worried in the slightest in the first place but this just made me that much more excited to be at the Tank tonight.
Possible reason #10:
the Sharks organization are never going to bring back the bad mojo, bad luck rally towels (only two home playoff loses thus far- game 1 vs Avs and game 1 vs. Hawks- the only two times the rally towels were given out)
Oops I meant reason #9
Dudes, great write up. As I left the game on Sunday I told all the fans that it was a 7 game series and not to fret. I was pretty surprised that the vibe of the crowd was not as worried as I thought it would be. This year’s Sharks are inspiring confidence in more than just each other.
I just got my Dudes on Hockey T-shirt in the mail and will wear it to the game tonight (under my 2nd gen home jersey) Thanks again!
I’m surprised there isn’t more anxiety and worry from the fans, or from the team. Maybe it was being able to leave the arena in the sunshine that has everyone believing glass half full.
But…
Who really thinks Chicago goes another game without a power play?
Who really thinks Chicago allows another 45 shots in a non-OT game?
Who’s concerned that if you take away the 14 PP shots, Chicago outshot the Sharks 40-31 (do the Sharks really want to trade punches like that 5 on 5?)?
Who’s worried that Chicago hasn’t lost a road game in a couple rounds now?
Who’s convinced that game 1 was the Sharks best chance to get a win?
…It is tough to argue the flip side of a 2.5 y.o. that’s undefeated, though.
Game 1 was a opportunity squandered, no doubt about it. But who thinks that Niemi can keep up a .970 save percentage? Who thinks that Heatley (or the second line) will be held off the scoreboard much longer?
Also, the shot thing is a red herring, since the Sharks had 31 ES shots in 10 fewer minutes of ice time.