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Handshakes and heartaches; Sharks eliminated

April 23, 2017, 2:20 AM ET [42 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For the first 50 minutes of game six the SAP Center echoed with stunned silence. The teal clad crowd were about to bare witness to the end of the road for their beloved San Jose Sharks.

The first period was reminiscent of a game one first period with both teams not wanting to make the first mistake. The first 20 minutes ended in a scorless tie, but the Oilers were ready to pounce at any second. They led 9-6 in shots on goal, held a 22-8 advantage in shot attempts and keeping the crowd out of the game.

Edmonton got their chance to pounce before the second period was even two minutes old. The Oilers scored twice 56 seconds apart in the second period, with both goals coming on breakaways off sloppy Shark turnovers.

Game. Set. Match.

Down 2-0 in the game and 3-2 in their series with the Edmonton Oilers, the veteran Sharks put together one last big push in an attempt to prolong the season....and they almost pulled it off.

Mr. Shark, Patrick Marleau cut the Oilers lead in half. The goal, acting as a shot of adrenaline for both his mates and the crowd, set the tone for a furious finish. Joe Pavleski nearly tied it with a back handed beauty that hit both crossbar and post. That's as close as San Jose would come again.

Try as the Sharks might - it simply wasn't meant to be.

In a fitting end and like a coronation of sorts, Oiler captain, Connor McDavid, put the game and series out of reach with an empty net goal. It was only McDavid's second goal of the series and it was a big one.

A season that began with so much hope and excitement was over before the playoffs really even began. Reality was setting in now - the Sharks had been eliminated from the playoffs with a 3-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 6 of their opening round playoff series. It still stings just typing that

When the clocked ticked off its last second both teams lined up for the traditional handshake at center ice. The San Jose faithful stood and applauded their team one last time. The bleary-eyed Sharks, some chocking back tears, remained on the ice for several more moments before raising their sticks in appreciation and thanks.

Was this the last chance we had to see impending unestricted free agents Marleau and Joe Thornton with the chomping shark on their sweaters? Not the way either of these great players wants their time in San Jose to end. The chances of one or both coming back seems very unlikely. 

This series was a microcosm of the entire Sharks season. A whole lot of hot and cold with a lot more cold than hot. However, this series loss was a less about San Jose's shortcomings and more about the rise of a very good Edmonton team.

So much talent. So much skill. So much poise. And so very young. Players like McDavid, Cam Talbot, Leon Draisaitl, Adam Larsson,  Anton Slepyshev and Oscar Klefbom are destined to become household names before all is said and done. Don't be surpised if this team is the last team in the West left standing. My gut tells me this is just the tip of the iceberg for this group.

Watch out Anaheim. The term "paint it orange" is about to take on a whole new meaning for you.
 
Thanks for reading,
Steve
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