Nelsonshack

Just finished watching the game (delayed).  Sharks were swept in 4 games by the Chicago Blackhawks.  So we’ve got some work to do.  Not sure if San Jose will keep Nabokov.  I really like the guy and thought he was a great goalie, but who knows what will happen.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a great team.  They are faster, and seem to have better puck possession.  So good-bye to another year for San Jose.  We’ll just have to be better, next year…

…I say this, because no one, and I mean NO ONE is giving the San Jose Sharks a chance in their 2nd round series against the Detroit Red Wings.

I don’t know how long I’ve been a hockey fan.  I have a pretty good idea of where it started, though…

At first, it seemed like a good idea, marrying into a hockey family.  My wife and her entire family are from Detroit.  They are true natives, as my wife’s father even worked for Ford Motors his entire career.  With them, to Utah, they brought a momentum of fan-dom for teams like the Lions, Pistons, and of course, the Red Wings.  It’s as it should be.  There are a lot of Detroit Red Wings fans who are fans of the team, because it’s an easy choice.  The Red Wings bring with them a rich history (and a winning history, at that).  But my wife’s family has an obvious link to the Wings, so who could blame them?

My brother in law worked hard to convince me that hockey is where it’s at.  I never really cared too much for sports, growing up, so I wasn’t convinced.  I went to my first hockey game when I saw the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) vs some other team that I didn’t care about, either.  But by the end of the game, I was sort of enjoying myself.  At the 2nd intermission, I walked up to get a drink or something (I’ll make up the details as I see fit- it was a while ago) and ended up in the gift shop.  They had several NHL jerseys in the shop and I started to get a funny idea that I should buy one.  I think I even asked my brother in law what the closest NHL team to Chico, California was.  I bought a black XXL (it’s still waaaay too big) Sharks jersey.  Then I went and say down in my seat to finish the game as a wanna-be Sharks fan.  I even remember getting a few approving nods from close-by spectators.  It was exciting.  I had chosen a side and wasn’t going to look back.

Nowadays I dream in teal.  I get sick over losses and elated over wins.  I’m happy that I picked a team to root for, who has never won The Cup.  I’m growing with the team.  When they win The Cup for the first time, it will be new for the team, as well as myself.

By the way- It’s snowing like a banshee in Utah, right now (and it’s almost May!).  Hell is starting to freeze over, and the Sharks are on the attack…

Today, I was reading on Fear the Fin a thread about different habits that Sharks fans have, during the games.  My FTF membership is new, so I can’t post these habits for another couple of days (when my membership becomes “official”.  So here you go:

1. First and foremost, I wear a Sharks article of clothing (the more, the better).  Shirt, hat, flannels, whatever I can.
2. On game day, before the game (or as soon as I can get to it), I put up my 3′x5′ Sharks flag in my office window, with the light inside, illuminating my allegiance.
3. More flag rules:  If the Sharks win the game, the flag stays up and illuminated until I go to bed.  If they lose, the flag comes down at the end of the game, immediately.
4. The game must be watched live or as close to possible.  I still believe that I have some effect on the game, if I watch it DVR’d, but only if there are no other options.
5. I shut off Sports Center game alerts to my phone…just in case.

That’s pretty much it.  There have been times when the Sharks are losing and I realize that my flag is not in the office window.  I’ve run down, put it up, only to see the Sharks rebound.  So this is pretty crucial.

Tonight the Sharks beat Dallas, finally. 3-0, and a great game. The Sharks gave secured a spot in the playoffs.

Went to the Bayou Burger for lunch with some friends, today.  I noticed that in a remote corner of their building, that last night’s Sharks vs. Canadians game was on.  I asked if they’d move the game over to a television that wasn’t being used (that was much closer to our table).  They were friendly about the whole thing.  Unfortunately, it took a lot of work to do that.  They were climbing on furniture and checking cables and generally allowing themselves to be hassled by my small request.  After about 15 minutes, they got the game working and went back to what they were doing.  It meant a lot to me, though, and I appreciate it.  So folks, if you’re up in the SLC area and you want a great burger, check out Bayou Burger at 645 S. State Street.