Hi everyone! I really feel for all of you San Jose Sharks fans out there. It has been a really rough year. I can’t remember the last time a team actually gave up back-to-back ten-spots. Not even the 1974-75 Washington Capitals, who gave up ten or more goals seven times, managed to pull off that feat. While I’m not a huge Sharks fan, per se (after all, I grew up supporting the Montreal Canadiens), I’ve always admired the team for the way it built itself up in its early years, its smart marketing decisions, the beautiful uniforms, and the rabid fan base that has always stuck with them no matter what. I understand what you’re going through right now having already suffered through my franchise’s all-time worst season just two years ago, and even this season, after massively upgrading the roster, there is little chance they are heading for the playoffs. Things seem to start out okay, a few young players here and there make a great impression, score a hat trick or two, and then boom, knee injury… boom, upper body injury… boom, personal issue. In the end, the result is always the same: no playoffs once again.

Most years, the Seals followed a similar script, but no season was more heartbreaking than 1971-72, and you all know what I’m talking about. This week, I’ve posted an article from Hugh McDonald of the San Mateo Times. It was published the day after Joey Johnston scored his first NHL hat trick, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Seals were, quite simply, reeling at the worst possible time. They had been holding on to third place for most of the season, but by March, they slipped out of third place and all the way down to fifth. Now every point counted, and so when a weaker team like the second-year Buffalo Sabres came to town, it was essential to go for the win and not just settle for a tie. Luckily for the Seals, the new line of Joey Johnston, Gary Croteau, and Reggie Leach were flying, and they led the way to an impressive 6-3 win. The victory seemed to spark the Seals just a bit, as they went 2-1-2 their next five games, but as you already know, the last six games of the season, many of which were against teams who were also competing for West Division playoff spot, were all losses. Enjoy the article, which will hopefully remind you of those rare, happier times.

Until next time, stay gold!