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Great Turnaround
Again!
Amazing season recalls one from 10 years
ago
3/29/04 - By Erik Kuhre
It was
in the late summer that Sharks broadcaster Drew Remenda went on the radio and
guaranteed the Sharks would make the playoffs. I, for one thought for sure that
there was no way that a team that lost its winningest coach, its biggest
offensive threat, and the leadership and symbol of the team would even contend
for a playoff spot. Now, April approaches and Team Teal is on the verge of a
second Pacific Division championship in three seasons.
Speaking of
turnarounds, you could compare this team with the one who played ten years ago.
Like this year's bunch, they were coming off a horrible season. Also like the
1993-94 team, they had new players to mold into a team. Very slow starts also
hindered both squads, but afterwards, they were unstoppable. Players started to
believe themselves and worked together as a team and not a bunch of
individuals. Time will tell if this year's team can exceed the playoff success
of its counterparts of ten seasons ago.
If you were like me, and saw
the Sharks starting lineup, you said, who is Nils Ekman? Alyn McCauley? Oh,
that guy in the Nolan trade. Alexander Korolyuk is the top six forward the
Sharks signed? Those three guys who were previously used sparingly in their
time have made General Manager Doug Wilson look like a genius. The three have
combined for over 50 goals and 120 points to become a top-notch line for San
Jose.
That line, along with many players such as Jonathan Cheechoo,
Wayne Primeau and even Patrick Marleau have had breakout years. For Marleau,
the pressure has been huge. With departure of Owen Nolan, Teemu Selanne, and
Adam Graves, the leadership and scoring roles have been put on his shoulders.
Some said the burden would be too big for him and would falter without Selanne
on his line. Marleau has been the leading scorer all year and has been the
captain since January, providing the quiet leadership this surprising team
needs.
Where's the Media?
While the Sharks have had a
memorable season, one thing has stood out in my mind. The lack of coverage the
team gets in the news. While the Sharks are not carried on a local sports radio
station, those stations say little about the amazing turnaround this team has
made. On the TV side, most of the stations were showing twice as many
highlights and live interviews of the Golden State Warriors current winning
streak, while showing a quick highlight and a taped interview following a
Sharks game.
In my local newspaper, while yes March Madness is the
main story (and understandably so) the Warriors get the other half of the front
page in the sports while the Sharks are in the back burner being one of the
best teams in the NHL. Which team is going to the playoffs? Which team is on
the verge of a division title? If a visitor from outside the Bay Area saw the
sportscasts, they would say the Warriors.
The Sharks get as much on
air time as A's and Giants Spring Training games, golf tournaments, and NASCAR,
how is that going to build a stronger fan base for the game of hockey? Why does
hockey always get a bum rap? Why is it that when an act of violence takes place
on the ice, such as the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore incident, that hockey gets
exposed and looks bad to the people who don't watch the game?
Like
Barry Melrose said on an ABC broadcast, why is it that when a baseball player
gets hit in the head its ok? Why is it that football players get knocked out to
helmet-to-helmet hits its ok. But when something happens in hockey, it makes
the headlines of every television station? My fellow members of the media
please reconsider the lack of coverage you have on hockey.
The
Return of Reveal the Teal!
As the intensity and excitement that is
the Stanley Cup Playoffs, gets closer, I would like to suggest something to the
Sharks fans that will be at playoff games. It's time to show your true colors!
If you're behind this team, let all of North America see it! No blackout or
whiteout here, it's time to reveal your teal! Show your support by wearing teal
to all home playoff games. It's worked before and it can work again! And CHOMP
TO THE CUP!
Contact Erik at Puckguy14@aol.com
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