Right from the opening game, the Sharks were dead in the water. With superstars Owen Nolan and Teemu Selanne run out of the building and San Jose with one win in their first 10 games, it looked like a very long season would come. But everyone thought "long season" was to be used figuratively, not literally. Suddenly, the Sharks were flying high. Something about this odd-ball, limited talent no-namers clicked and now, they were winning games left and right, led by strong goaltending from the duo of Evgeni Nabokov and his backup Vesa Toskala. Patrick Marleau broke out from his career slump while Nils Ekman, Jonathan Cheechoo, and Alexander Korolyuk matured to the point to lead the team in scoring. Scott Hannan became a great defenseman while Kyle McLaren brought the team a much-needed physical presence. Everyone contributed, allowing Coach Ron Wilson to roll out four lines in every game, all of them with the ability to score with ease. It all led to the best regular season in franchise history, their second Pacific Division championship, and a number two seed in the playoffs.

But like all teams but one, the season must end cruelly. It turns out the Sharks weren't flying through the playoffs, they were just falling with style. Their first 8 games in the playoffs typified a Sharks win or loss. Hard work wins out always and the Sharks were masters at it. They utilized their speed to reach pucks faster while getting timely goals. Soon, the armor was chinked when an equally matched Avalanche team won 2 games after the Sharks went up 3-0 in the series. But it wasn't until Calgary showed up until they met a superior team. Work hard? They worked harder. Fast team? They were just as fast. Perfect goalie? You betcha. Experienced coach? Sure, it was the former Sharks coach. Pressure? Calgary has a whole country rooting them on.

A quirky series yes, but it was all decided in game 1, when the Sharks gave the Flames everything they had but still came up one goal short.

So congrats to Calgary for their win, and to the Sharks for an awesome season. It also gives me the chance to mention the funny fact I noticed:

The team that eliminated the Sharks in the playoffs has never gone on to win the Stanley Cup in that year. (7 for 7)