The Best Hockey Game I've Ever Seen - Page 2

*End 1st Intermission*

So being new to *being interested in* sports, I don't have a lot of sports history or trivia in my brain. I wasn't paying attention and didn't care when: the Sharks were founded in 1991 (even though I was living in Chico, California at the time), the Sharks played at the Cow Palace, the Sharks made the playoffs in 1994, Owen Nolan played for the Sharks, or when Ron Wilson spent the bulk of his years toiling over the team.

But last night, I was watching when San Jose was disallowed a goal in the 2nd period with 8:39 left. I was watching when the Sharks were down 4-1 in the 3rd period, with 13:35 left on the clock. I know I was, because I remember agonizing in my living room as my Flyers fan neighbor, who was watching this game with me (in MY house!), reminded me that crazy things happen in hockey (that was nice of you, Chris, by the way). Somehow, it didn't help.

But I was also watching as, within five minutes, Demers, Coture, and Pavelski tied it up. Then there was overtime.

*2nd Intermission*

My wife hates overtime. Which is surprising, because she's not a huge fan of sports at all (tear apart that sentence, Lynn Truss!) So when games (Sharks, Red Wings, or otherwise) go to a shootout, she starts writhing on the floor, and reminds everyone in the room that she really hates overtime. It makes OT all the more enjoyable.

*End 2nd Intermission*

Overtime is what makes the title of this post true for me. On its own, overtime would not have justified it. But with the Sharks overcoming a three-goal deficit in the 3rd period (the only one in franchise history) and then what followed, the title is undisputed. With what appeared to be only a hummingbird's breath left on the clock, the Flyers' Mike Richards shoots the winning goal. This is according to the Flyers bench, Versus, and anyone who blinked. The Flyers win the game and the crowd goes wild. The camera moves over to Todd McLellan, who is calmly doing nothing. None of the Sharks players are. Something is wrong and they all know it. A review shows the puck has not crossed the goal line before the clock reads 0:00. The official confirms this miracle and we go to a shootout...

..where the Flyers are finally dispatched with two goals from Couture and Clowe.

It was the best hockey game I've ever seen...and I've seen a few.

*Game*

Article Author: hypernayte

Nathan is the father of twins, husband of one, a *BSD/Linux/Open Source enthusiast, and aspiring genius.

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