Never a dull moment as a Sharks fan in 2007. I left them feeling blue and down about their prospects, a team in a downward spiral after losing three disheartening games at home. Then they continued their blistering road warrior ways and took four games against team they should beat. St. Louis, Nashville and Los Angeles are all free-falling out of the playoff race, but the Preds and Blues still have winning records at home so these were tough games. Winning in Minnesota confirms for me that the Wild are a great matchup for San Jose if it happens in the playoffs – we are in their heads and the Sharkies might be the last team the Wild want to see in the first round.

The encouraging part about these four wins were how San Jose went about their game. Passing was crisp. Defense was smart. Secondary scoring finally arrived with Michalek getting seven points and Bernier notching five points, earing him a spot on the top line with Thunder Joe. Matt Carle looked comfortable finally, pulling a +2 on the trip. There was a great mix of goals – the ugly and the beautiful. Seeing Rivet and Carle unload from the point was a welcome sight. The boys looked loose. They looked like winners.

So…what are we supposed to expect tonight when they return to the Tank, a place they have struggled to play with emotion and energy in 2007? I am trying to be positive in the New Year, but tonight is no easy task. Calgary may be the hottest team in the NHL not named “Red Wings”, winning six of their last seven on the road and posting a 7-2-1 record in their last ten. A much bigger challenge than any club the Sharks faced on the recent road swing, especially with some of the San Jose roster plagued by the flu. The fans will be ready to forget 2007’s home struggles. Let’s start fresh in 2008 with a big win tonight vs. Keenan’s boys.