Shark Head
San Jose,CA
The San Jose Sharks are on an improbable journey, culminating in a Game 7 Victory in Round 1. As the series unfolded against the VegAss Golden Showers, it became apparent that the Knights were younger, faster, and did I mention younger faster and supremely skilled? They also have a goalie with three rings.
After Game 4, where they completely dismantled Los Tiburones, the faithful were understandable concerned. Depressed even. Outmanned, outgunned and the Knights brand of hockey was punching the Sharks in the face repeatedly. San Jose didn’t have an answer for the Mark Stone Line as they pummeled the Sharks relentlessly, seemingly scoring at will.
On to Game 5, back at home, San Jose scored first, and then kept scoring. Playing perhaps their most complete game, they won 5-2. Back to VegAss (smells like Ass in here), the Sharks scored first again, only to have the Knights tie it and there it stayed. 1-1 for all of regulation as the Golden Showers threw everything they had at the tired and beat up San Jose team.
Amazingly, the Sharks prevailed in the 2nd OT, 2-1 on a shorty by Tomas Hertl the Ninja Turtle. Martin Jones was playing like another Marty from years past, as in Marty Brodeur the Hall of Fame goalie. 58 saves on 59 shots to lead the Sharks back to the Tank for the deciding Game 7.
So Game 7 begins with about a 10 minute push by San Ho, three power plays and nothing on the scoreboard. The Knights scored first, ending the 1st period leading 1-0. On to the second, where Cody (I’m fearing for my life!) Eakins scored to make it 2-0. In spite of many high danger chances (the new term for scoring opportunities), San Jose headed to the 3rd period down by two, and Marc Andre Fleury was playing out of his mind.
The Shirts: everyone brought a lucky shirt but inexplicably we weren’t wearing them because it was so hot. As I realized I needed to do something fast to help my team, it occurred to me to say, PUT THEM ON! We did!! Then this happened…..
The faces of my friends and I grew longer with each passing minute as VegAss continued to pour it on, with no hope as Flower completely stymied San Jose. Then at the 10 minute mark, the unthinkable happened. An innocent looking faceoff, a couple of cross checks from Eakins and Paul Stastny, and down went Capn America, Joe Pavelski. A hush fell over the crowd as he lay on the ice, not moving.
The Sharks players stood around angry and helplessly as The Big Pavelski was helped to his feet by 4 players and the training staff, and headed to the locker room. The refs huddled, and handed out a 5 minute major penalty to Cody (I’m in fear for my life!) Eakins. For the uninitiated, that means the team with the power play can score as many as they can for 5 minutes.
What happened next was truly Karmic in nature and awesome for Sharks fans. They scored their 1st goal in 49 seconds to cut the deficit to 3-1. They scored again to make it 3-2. Logan Couture scored to tie the game and bedlam ensued. But wait, they still had 2 more minutes! Kevin Labanc drove the net and scored from the slot to bring down the house and give San Jose the lead.
There was still almost 6 minutes still left in the game, yet the Sharks had scored FOUR GOALS in 4 minutes to take the lead. VegAss came back with a vengeance. For the next 5 minutes the Sharks were unable to clear the puck from their zone and with 47 seconds left the Golden Showers tied the game, knotting the score at 4.
On to OT, with most players out of gas, leaden legs and burning lungs, the Sharks put on career 4th liner Barclay Goodrow. A good player, but he only had one shift in the overtime period. Erik Karlsson hit him with a nice pass, he dangled around the D man with a power move and slipped it passed Fleury to win the game and cement his place in Sharks history.
What more can I say? Bring on the Avalanche, thats what!!
Barclay Goodrow scores the biggest goal of his career to win the game in OT!