April 30th, 2008
April 24th, 2009, 7:32 pm
April 30th, 2008. A San Jose Sharks team with their backs against the wall, after losing three straight games to the Dallas Stars, got an emotional win and played like a team that was literally fighting for its life. This team then showed up for Game Five (another win) and Game Six (the 4 OT heartbreaker). I was proud of that team, even though it was too late – they were gamers and they left everything on the ice.
Will this San Jose Sharks team show up Saturday night at the Tank?
I’ve been like a woman in menopause the last 24 hours – and by that I mean I’ve been moody, emotional and spent $300 at Lane Bryant. Every person I know wants to talk about the Sharks. Some have called them quitters, losers, overrated and heartless. Others have said they’ve hit tough-luck, deserve better, had a lousy draw and are one break away from bouncing back.
What do I think? I just don’t know anymore.
I watched the Washington Capitals put everything on the line tonight and crush, totally destroy, the New York Rangers to make that a series again. I watched the Columbus Blue Jackets bleed for their fans last night in their 6-5 loss to Detroit – they played one hell of a game when they needed to and you couldn’t fault their effort. The emotion was all there. Raw emotion. I would kill to see that on Saturday from our boys.
I refuse to trade away players, fire GM’s and discuss offseason plans until Game 5 is in the books. I feel more upbeat at this moment then I have the last 24 hours – that maybe the team that took Dallas to the brink and won the most emotional game in San Jose Sharks history in Game 7 vs. Calgary can do it again. If the Sharks can make a game of this, the fans will rally and support them all the way – but they’ve got to come out strong – otherwise the Tank could turn on them, and fast….
Come on Sharks from April 30th, 2008. Show up. We need you. Now.
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There’s no way they don’t win game 5. The thought of that team losing 3 in a row at home is inconceivable.
I’m oddly optimistic about game 5. I find it hard to believe they won’t put together their best game on the brink of elimination in the first round. If not their best game, a game good enough to beat the Ducks. There is no way we lose this game.
It’s really game 6 that I’m worried about. I’ll be at game 6 when it happens. I’m not going to tempt fate again… 6-0 when I attend, 0-3 when I stay home (all 3 really bad losses).
I know that I will be up til game 5 is over, even if it is boring and all trap. I hope CBC’s video gets better, it even cut out and showed a bit of time from VS during the first period.
Go Sharks! I believe… I don’t see a hand shake happening tonight.
I hope CBC fixes their audio as well, So far a lot of things I would have wanted to see a lot sooner in the series but whats done is done, what is not done however is this series.
GO Sharks!
SETO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow that 2 goal lead lasted so long. lol
Must have forgot a game is 3 periods… still not over.
Go Sharks!
Are the Sharks “quitters, losers, overrated and heartless?” No. Far from it. However, I wouldn’t give them a free pass by saying, they’ve simply “hit tough-luck, deserve better, had a lousy draw and are one break away from bouncing back.”
The make-up of this team is flawed because they lack three important qualities that are essential for winning a Stanley Cup: 1) Killer Mentality, 2) Power Play Prowess and 3) Charasmatic Leadership.
The great German polymath, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, once wrote, “You must either conquer and rule or serve and lose, suffer or triumph, be the anvil or the hammer.” The Sharks, despite their immense talent, need to embrace the role of hammer but seem reluctant to be the hammer. They don’t have that killer instinct to crush their opponent at all costs. They don’t play with intensity and desperation on EVERY shift. They don’t play dirty to get under their opponents’ skin. They’re like a bunch of mild-mannered choirboys on skates who are content on just playing their best and hoping things work out. That type of attitude doesn’t cut it in the playoffs.
You know what else doesn’t cut it? The Sharks (non)special teams. In ’07, San Jose converted 7% on their power play opportunities. Last year, 14%. This year, 12%. By contrast, the Red Wings are converting 32% and the Bruins 25% in this year’s playoffs. Guess what? The Wings and Bruins swept their opponents and have already advanced to the next round.
All of these problems, in my opinion, stem from the fact that they don’t have a charismatic leader who can inspire and carry the team to greatness. I remember in the early 90s when the 49ers couldn’t get over on the Cowboys until they brought in Deion Sanders. Primetime infused the Niners with the confidence and swagger to beat the Cowboys and win a Super Bowl. The same could be said about what Mark Messier did for the Rangers. Mess simply refused to let the Rangers lose in ‘93. It is imperative that the Sharks acquire a player with such leadership qualities. Neither Joe nor Patty have it and JR’s too old. If they don’t find this leader, the Sharks will continue to be sunk in their quest for the Cup.
Back to the Pond!!!!
wooo! woooo woooo!
Well, I’m not tempting fate again, I bought tickets to game 6.
GO SHARKS DAMN IT!!!