And stop caring about the Sharks so much… nah. While this time of year may be psychologically damaging in terms of the highs and lows, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Luckily, I have just enough perspective (barely) to see that this is one helluva series so far. If I weren’t a Sharks fan, I’d want it to go seven for sure. As a Sharks fan, I don’t know if I could take it.

After a meltdown for the ages (or, as the Calgary papers put it, the Flames had a comeback for the ages) in game three, the Sharks post a comeback for the ages (or, as the Calgary papers put it, the Flames did a meltdown). And now, when I had the Sharks all but buried, they show some chutzpah. Although the game might not have been as dominating as the 22 shot differential indicates, the Sharks did control play. As much as I hate the cliche, “your best players have to be your best players”, Calgary have given themselves the best chance to win by living exactly that. Kipper is amazing, Iginla is dangerous every shift, and between big hits, every Phaneuf shot seems to have eyes for the net. It was the Sharks’ best players that came out in the last five minutes of the game, and that made the difference.

What can you say about game 5? Don’t miss it. Without question, the Sharks need to make quicker decisions in their own zone to neutralize the gutsy forecheck. I know this isn’t the Sharks’ system, but I’d want to see a winger out in the neutral zone for a stretch pass- hopefully that would keep the D from jumping up to the red line, or sometimes, even the blue line.