Falling Short Once Again

Playoff hockey is still going on right now. Round 2 looks to be wrapping up with most of the series going to a seventh must win game for every team. Yet, in my eyes, hockey is over for this season. I've already dusted off my "get through the summer without hockey" movies like Miracle and Disney's Mighty Ducks series (which I think I might burn now) as well as pulling out NHL 2k7 and the other hockey games I have. Why have I done this? Because on Monday April 27, 2009 at approximately 10:00 p.m. the San Jose Sharks 2008-2009 season ended. It was game 6 of the first round where the Sharks fell 4-1 at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks (Yes, the Ducks were originally founded by Disney and their name was based on the movies.).

I should be used to this by now. The Sharks have gone to the playoffs five times in a row and have exited early five times in a row as well. I should be used to this by now . . . I really should. But the reason why I took so long to write about my beloved Team Teal's defeat is because I'm not. I'm not used to losing, especially this season. Considering that I have banners, flags, and posters plastered around my house speaks as a testament to my hardcore fandom and dedication to my team. I have three lucky hats, eight t-shirts, two sweatshirts, and even socks that are teal. I didn't even miss one game this entire season, not one of the 82 regular season games and the 6 playoff games. But I should be used to this by now. Five years as a dedicated Sharks fan, two years tracking their progress, and two year of absolutely loathing them (I was originally a Colorado Avalanche fan) and I'm still not used to this - early exists, squashed hopes, and promises that have never been fulfilled. I don't even know where to begin voicing my frustrations about the Sharks' playoff performance. I still feel like ripping the banner that hangs on my bedroom door, then I think how much I paid for it.

So, why am I so upset at this year's loss? There are some really key reasons why this playoff loss feels so much worse than years before. It really all started with the game 6, second round loss the Sharks suffered against the Dallas Stars in the 2007-2008 playoffs. Yes, last season's playoffs. Once again, the Sharks were one of the best teams in the league, holding onto the number 2 record in the regular season. As second best in the league and seeded second in the Western Conference, the Sharks were considered contenders for the Stanley Cup. Just contenders though, not favorites, why? Because the Sharks have a very poor playoff record, which is odd considering they have always been one of the higher echelon teams in the NHL.

The loss was upsetting, but GM Doug Wilson (who has an amazing hockey mind and business talent) promised that things would change and change drastically. Fast forward to the beginning of the 2008-2009 season. The Sharks now have an entirely new coaching staff, cutting some old faces and familiar players for a new blue-line capable of some seriously wicked offense as well as defense presence. The Sharks looked like a totally new animal, blazing to an amazing start, breaking records along the way, and capturing a league best home record. The extreme changes seemed to have re-ignited the Sharks, turning them into an amazingly powerful team to be feared.

As the post-season approached, the Sharks seemed to waver a bit. Many of the top players hit a scoring slump, losses increased, and injuries plagued the Sharks. Yet they still managed to roll into the post-season with a league best point total and home wins, earning them the President's Trophy. When it was time to see who the Sharks first round opponent would be, the draw of the Anaheim Ducks seemed to be a match made in heaven or maybe it was hell. The Sharks and Ducks have always had a vicious rivalry. What can you expect when you pit SoCal against NorCal. In every sport it's like this and hockey is no different. The setup almost seemed to picture perfect, and it was just exactly that.

I have to give the Ducks credit for knocking off the Sharks. Unlike the Sharks, the Ducks are very successful in the playoffs and even have a Stanley Cup of their own, proving that California teams can beat the best in the league. Right now, they are even giving the defending champion Red Wings all they can handle in a round 2 series. The thing that bothers me most about the loss that the Sharks suffered was that they never seemed to put in a full 60 minute effort. The Ducks are good, but I know the Sharks are better if they play that way. But they didn't, they didn't seem to play at all. This is why the Sharks are never considered a serious favorite for the Cup. They choke in the playoffs. It's as simple as that, they choke. The best players in the regular season seem to turn into the walking dead in playoff games. It's bad when you watch a game and you never hear the announcer say the names Thornton (the top point and assist man on the Sharks), Marleau (the Captain and sniper of the team), and other top players. It's worse when you hear on every goal that the Ducks score, "Nabokov should have had that one."

So the question now is this, what's next? Who do you cut this time around? The captain? The goalie? Most of the additions were only signed to a one-year contract, so some of the best parts of the Sharks team might not even be back next season. Plus, three or four players are looking at retirement as well. I'd hate to see someone like JR go out this way though. My worry is that if they lose and cut too many of their top people they might turn out like my Colorado Avalanche. A skeleton of a team that can't even make it to the playoffs let alone win there. But something has to give. Making so many changes and going that far just to fall short . . . very short. Something has to change and I know Doug Wilson won't hesitate to change whatever he sees fit.

As round 2 of the 2008-2009 Stanley Cup playoffs wraps up, for me hockey is already done for. I don't like (actually I hate) any of the teams that are left so it's time for me to switch to Soccer and Lacrosse, two months earlier than I expected I would. I find that as I try to forget this awful season and gain some enthusiasm for next year, I am still reminded of what could have been. In EA's new sports center at PlayStation's Home lies banners and posters depicting a team in teal with Lord Stanley's Cup. It seems like this season's unfulfilled dreams and shortcomings will haunt me and the Sharks until they can finally put everything to rest and prove that they have what it takes to go all the way.