To borrow a term from TWOP, I'm calling this a weecap. Only partially because its a cute little bit of alliteration. I also just kinda like saying the word "wee." It's so versitile.  You can use it to describe size, or as an exclamation of fun. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

*ahem*

So let's start with Saturday's game because that makes the most sense.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

You know what I love? Sharks wins.

It doesn't really matter that it came against a team that's been struggling and that (on paper) we should clearly be able to dominate. Those teams are always the ones that bite you in the end. You relax, sit back, and suddenly they're up be 3 and it's the third and you look like a major jerk.

Never, ever assume you can beat a team based on their reputation alone.

Thankfully, the Sharks came in, well aware of the brewing poop storm in the city of St. Louis, and well aware that the team they'd be facing had just been chewed out by its owner. They expected a hard fought game, and they certainly got that. It was chippy from minute one. Hits all over, bodies flying, it was like 300 only minus the ancient Greek and Persian parts. And far far far less blood and shirtlessness.

The Blues fell despite out shooting the Sharks and getting the first goal of the game.The Sharks lulled the Blues into a false sense of security by waiting until the second to score, and then sucker punched them by scoring two goals just 16 seconds apart. Sails deflated. Joe got an empty netter in the third to seal the deal 3-1. Sharks fans everywhere were amazed that their team scored an empty net goal. They never do that. Give them an open net and they'll find a way to hit the crossbar like very time.

So that game was cool. It gave me some hope (some), about facing the Blackhawks but I just had this feeling.

The game started out well enough. The Sharks scored 1st and held that lead for most of the 1st before Chicago tied it towards the end of the period. Then the Sharks came back in the second, looking fiery, and scored two quick goals to make it 3-1. Sharks fans we're feeling super good. Then, the unthinkable happened. The Blackhawks scored. And scored again. And then the third was like a pile of crap. And it went to OT, which lasted all of 41 seconds. And the Hawks won.On JR night no less!

Foot meet gas. Ok, now STAY THERE.

So that game kinda sucked. It's really deflating to be like "OMG WE'RE UP 3-1!" and suddenly find yourself tied and at risk of losing. And then you do, and you're like "sdkfhjfhlasfslfjkjk" because the Hawks are good and the Sharks had them and then for some reason unknown to modern man they sat back. No bueno.

I really do sit on a stability ball during the games.When stuff gets iffy, I get restless and roll around on it. Or sag on it, as it the case above. Not my best cartoon, but it does sum up the Sunday game rather well.

 

Will anyone be there to watch them?

The answer is yes, but an army of couch riding captains will be lost. Seriously NHL, what is with this whole not televising every game business? I mean, I live where they black out football games due to low attendance and even though I wouldn't watch anyway, I still think that's stupid.

Jamie and Dan will be providing their amazing radio coverage, as always, so all is not lost. It's just not televised.

Radio only, today at 5pm.

 

An imaginary brief pre game conversation between two imaginary people.

"Dude, Chicago's won 6 in a row at home."

"..."

"We're doomed."

So that basically sums up our general feeling about this game. It's not that the Sharks can't take the Blackhawks, it's just the they're pretty good. I mean, the Sharks are pretty good too (hello 1st the league!) but we Sharks fans are prone to bouts of severe loss of self confidence.

Despite our reticence, we WILL be watching the game and you should too. For one thing, the Hawks are fun to watch (as long as they aren't pounding the Sharks in unseen places). For another they're honoring JR in the Windy City tomorrow. We love JR. JR loved San Jose. San Jose loved JR. You get the point.

I'm still bummed I only got to meet him once for a few brief moments. I have friends who got to have lunch with him, which is just amazingly awesome. I will be forever jealous of this.

Some Fins will be at this game too. I couldn't find them in the crowd yesterday, so we'll see how I do this afternoon. Party kicks off at 4pm Sharks time. Be there.

 

 

Man that is one freaky ass looking bear.

Wait, the Sharks on on the road? AGAIN? They've been on the road all season! Seriously! This is game 21 and 8 have been played at home. Travel also sucks for west coast teams. I guess this is balancing out last season's ending on the road madness.

I have no idea how this game is going to go. I don't really know what to expect from STL or Mason.  I like to say that every team is dangerous, (and I will say it a lot), so I try not to take teams that aren't hot right out of the gate for granted. I already learned my lesson in how much a team can change during the off season during the season opener against the Avs. I'm not looking to repeat that.

The Sharks are coming in after a disappointing loss, (though if you watch the post game quotes, The Todd was not too upset about the game play overall), to the Stars at home in the SO Thursday, while the Blues are also coming in having just had a home loss. Which basically means both teams will want to win. Only one can. It's like Highlander on ice, but with less lightning and beheading and randomly strewn about newspapers fluttering dramatically in the magic laden winds.

All I know for sure is that I know at least 2 of the Sharks fans who will be at this game. I doubt they have seats on the glass like they did when they went to Atlanta, but they'll be there.  You can plays "Where's waldo The Fins" today at 5pm on your very own moving picture box and look for them! CSN-CA and the good folks at KFOX have your broadcasting back.

This is the first time this season I've had to hand this out.

 

 

Party kicks off tonight at 7:30pm. 17, 562 will be in attendance in the main room. The rest of us will be in satellite rooms, otherwise known as our respective domiciles or perhaps a local bar, watching on TV.

You can feel like you're at the game by playing that national anthem before hand and booing the word star. Sure, it's kinda rude, but you're booing the team, not the anthem. And what Sharks fan doesn't love booing Turco?! He may be a funny man, but he has earned our ire. If by some odd twist of hockey fate, you a) also like the Stars and b) like Marty Turco when he plays against the Sharks, then just pretend Avery is still on the team and boo him instead. Or pretend someone is Pronger. You can't go wrong with either of those two options.

If you do plan to play the anthem at home, make sure to yell "Hey Dallas...YOU SUCK!" right before hand. Awkwardly close enough to the start to startle the noobs that are in attendance, but not enough to shake the vets. Timing is everything.

Go Sharks

Oy.

That game was rough. Had a bit of a feeling it would be. After that amazing game against the Pens, I was worried the Sharks would come out ready to sit back on their heels against the Preds. That's pretty much exactly what they did. I've said it before and I'll say it again, EVERY TEAM IS DANERGOUS. Play them with that in mind and you'll have less games like last night's.

Well, we should cover the good points....

Uhm...

Well, Greiss honestly had some killer saves. There was one in the first that was UNREAL from our seats.

His lateral movement is a tad slow, but otherwise he had a decent night. He has a much deeper voice than I expected. That has nothing to do with how he plays, it's just an observation.

Then there was this other unreal save in the second. Right after which Goc scored.I saw it coming too. I don't know what it was, but for some reason, after watching the Sharks fight to keep the puck out of the next and do so with brillance I KNEW the next shift, it would end up behind Greiss. I suppose on gets a sense for these things after watching so many games.

And speaking of Marcel, didn't he only have like, 1 goal FOR us last season? Thanks Marcel. I think he continued his EFF U when he had some words with Heatley towards the end of the game, we presume in German. Probably something about his mother. Doubt it was very kind.

The defense didn't look half bad! They listed Huskin's a +9 sometime on the jumbotron last night. Dude. +9!

The offense on the other hand...they looked awful. Even "Joe Thornton, the best passer the league" couldn't find a way to get the puck to anyone's stick.

I am really not sure why it took 53 minutes and 50 seconds to call a penalty on the Preds. There were chances to call one or two on them earlier.

I respect that you are a group of Habs fans down from Montreal to spend some time exploring the Bay Area, but just like that guy in the Red Wings sweatshirt, you kinda stand out a lot at a Sharks v Preds game. Which makes it a lot easier to tell when you get up and leave to go hang out at the bar mid game. Just saying.

There was a lot of slipping and falling tonight as well. The ghost of Cheechoo's past?

Mina said it best when after Boyle's last minute goal, she said "Yes Dan Boyle, you ARE a great hockey player!" (referencing this commercial)

It's too bad that he doesn't like bean burritos, right Joe?

Nichol looked pretty good last night. We thought he was hurt, but it turns out he just had the wind knocked out of them.

Love McGinn. Love his goals more.

Completely nonsensical words of wisdom: Bark. Like a boss

It was a Tuesday night game agaisnt the Preds. No way it was 17,562. I'm sure brokers bought up enough tickets for it to be a paid sellout, but this was obviously going to be one of those games that doesn't really sell out in terms of folks in attendance. Everyone knew that. Was it close? Yeah. Even non attendance sell outs are pretty full. I have no doubt it will be a paid and attendance sell out come Thursday. Everyone likes to boo the Stars.

Chick in front of us was crazy. Yes, the ballad was inspired by true events. If she went into a game ruining melt down over guys in our section telling her to sit back, she should never ever consider sitting 209. Ever.

Attention all 21 year olds: While it's amazingly fantastic for you that you can now drink legally, sit your butts DOWN when the puck is in play.There's a reason we're all yelling at you. It should be quite obvious because were giving you directions. "SIT DOWN!" should be pretty easy to understand, but there you are, standing, sipping your over priced beers.

I had NO IDEA it was a food drive night last night! I would have brought stuff! I always feel like an ass when I get there and discover everyone has bags of boxed and canned goods and I have nothing.

I keep hearing the players saying that Nashville worked HARD last night. Really? Were we watching the same game 'cos it looked like both teams were playing poorly. Hard? Not so much. But hey, they won. Not going to argue the outcome.

Ellis' face when Seto scored=crushed. No one thought that was in. No one.