2004.05.17

In the picture above, the "7" refers to the start time of Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the Sharks and Flames. And so it is - after falling behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven series last week, the Sharks won two games in a row on the road to bring the series back home. Unfortunately, the road-ice-advantage trend contined, with the Flames coming out with more energy, more jump, and ultimately, with the win. Final score: 3-0. It was as if the Sharks were on cruise control and didn't even give a Rat's Ass about winning. Here's my take on the three goals against:

1. Jarome Iginla's shorthanded breakaway: this should've never happened. The Sharks got a little too fancy on the power play and tried to make one pass too many at the blueline (while two Sharks were crashing the net). An ill-advised pass to a defenseman at the point (either Stuart or McLaren...I don't remember) gets picked off by Iginla, and what does the hapless Sharks d-man do? Instead of doing the smart thing and tripping Iginla while he's still within a stick's reach (this would be what they call a "good penalty"), he just taps at his legs while Jarome pulls ahead with full steam and buries the shot.
2. A Flames player is on a breakaway (or at least is leading a 2-on-1). Niko Dimitrakos, having learned from the Iginla shortie, high-sticks the Flames player, drawing a penalty. Only...the Sharks forget that the puck is still live until they touch the damn thing! Instead, they stand around like pylons, slack off a little while waiting for the whistle, and allow and easy goal to Marcus Nilson of the Flames after a few passes in the zone.
3. Kyle McLaren pinches to try to keep the puck in the offensive zone. The puck squirts by him. Then, Craig Conroy jumps out of the zone after the loose puck, leads a 2-on-1, shoots, and scores. Hello! Earth to Kyle! If you don't get the puck, at least take out the man! Don't just stand there and watch him skate by you! Get in his way. Slow him down. Or at least skate back as hard as you can to get in defensive position to block the shot or something. (at least make it look like you care or are trying to win the game!)

Bottom line: Sharks in Seven. I won't be at that game, because I need to save up for Stanley Cup Finals tickets. :) And, to counteract the "road-ice-advantage" effect, I propose that all Shark fans going to game seven dress in RED, and chant "Go Flames Go!" from the outset of the game. Maybe if the Sharks think they're in Calgary, they'll play better.

Oh yeah, and the highlight of my night: after six years of being frustrated by his anti-Shark antics (see: Game 5, Round 1, 1998, Sharks at Dallas, two bogus non-calls on in-the-crease violations for the beginning), Kerry Fraser was finally reffing a game that I was attending. And for the first time in my life, I was able to join in the loud chorus of "Fraser Sucks!" that rocked the Shark tank after one of his BS penalty calls. The San José Merc even reported this in the game summary:

UNSUNG HERO: Referee Kerry Fraser: When he whistled Sharks RW Todd Harvey for cross-checking at 9:09 of the third period, he managed to channel the crowd's frustrations away from the home team. Fans can't boo the Sharks if they're serenading the ref.

More Amusing Shots

After the Flames fans' poor behaviour in game 3 (where they threw beer onto the ice after Korolyuk's empty-netter), the beer vendors at the pre-game tailgate thought they'd be amusing with this sign. On the left, note the Canadian pride of the Flames fan, with the two flags in his hat.

A number of Sharks fans showed up in fireman hats, with the thought of "putting out the flames". Hell, even SJ Sharkie was in fireman's garb during his pre-game skate on the ice.

Here's a Flames fan who proudly shows his Canadian pride, with a nice umbrella maple leaf hat. I'm glad I wasn't sitting behind this guy.

Here's an entire section of Flames fans (in red) in the lower bowl (section 121, I think). They brought with them the Saddledome-issued ThunderStix (booo! go back to Anaheim!) and one fan even had an amusing sign: "Tonight's special: Flame-broiled Shark!" But don't get me wrong, these Calgary fans are nice people.

And finally, here's the view I had from my seat in section 213. I paid $76 for this seat, and it is more expensive because the Sharks attack this end of the ice during two of the three periods. Ha! Seems like I got ripped off on that front...the Sharks? attack? Not today they didn't....