How should Sharks fans feel?

Share

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs grew longer, it was quite clear the Los Angeles Kings were getting stronger. Monday night at Staples Center seemed like a culmination of the inevitable. For the first time since 2007, a team hoisted the "toughest trophy to win in sports" in front of its home crowd. By now, Sharks fans have seen all of the images, heard all the interviews and digested the celebrations... but the real question: how should they feel?Upset
This is a most common emotion, compounded by the fact that now, each of the California franchises will have Lord Stanley in their rafters - except the Sharks. Although it took the Kings 45 years, and the Ducks less than 15... San Jose faithful have the highest of expectations with 21 seasons in the books.Bitter
Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi once held that same title in San Jose. During a 7 year tenure, he drafted names like Patrick Marleau, Ryane Clowe, Jonathan Cheechoo... traded for players like Teemu Selanne, Mike Ricci, Vincent Damphousse and Owen Nolan. After firing Terry Murray as Head Coach midway through this season, he enlisted the man who once led his Sharks teams: Darryl Sutter. In summary, two once-integral pieces of the Bay Area's NHL team... reunited elsewhere... to win a cup.Accepting
There is one approach of regionalism, and a certain sense of pride that the Stanley Cup has not only come west of the Mississippi, but that it will reside in California. This is especially meaningful when you consider that since 1991, the Cup has been to California TWICE... and Canada ONCE. One could think the exposure of such a playoff run by the Kings is good for the game in our state, by inspiring the young generations of fans who witnessed it.Released
Once the Sharks were eliminated from the playoffs, a lot of fans (and players for that matter) had a difficult time in even bringing themselves to watch how the rest of the postseason played out. While it may not be the best-case scenario that a team within the Pacific Division reached hockey's holy grail... one team WAS going to win it all. That process took its course through Southern California, but now... "next season" has begun... dwelling on the past can be overshadowed by looking towards the future.

So Sharks fans... how should you feel? Log in and leave your comments below.

Contact Us