Game 1 video, Calgary vs San Jose

Here is a short video from game one, with most of the pre-game atmosphere that was blacked out for many on Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area and Dish Network, not to mention the first three goals of the game by Yelle, Phaneuf and Clowe. Will post a few notes from game 2 later tonight.

The Shark head drop to Carmina Burana "O Fortuna" is pretty incredible, but it actually worked better in past years when they used a wavy teal light on the ice to mimmick ocean water and kept the lighting in the arena dim. At age 5, on a tour of Universal Studios I almost jumped off the back of the tram on the Jaws set when the fake shark pops out of the water. Seeing a jerky mechanical jaws come out of the water now, it is hard to think it ever looked real. A couple years later I was in Half Moon Bay a few days after a windsurfing board was attacked by a great white. They had it on display, and from the size of the bite it looked like it would have taken about a third of the windsurfer with him. That was the first and last thought I had whenever I stepped into the water to go surfing or bodyboarding.

Bottom line: 17 years later and just outside of the great white "red triangle" feeding grounds, the Sharks still have one of the best franchise identities in sports. It may take a little more tweaking in the coming years, a little less orange, but eventually they will hit on a logo and crest that will stand the test of time. I have never been a huge fan of teal, pacific teal is slightly better, but they have made it work and built a huge following behind it. Next year when teams have an option for a third jersey, San Jose needs to opt for a dark navy jersey with a simple "SHARKS" on the front. Lean, mean, and ready to rupture Anaheim's spleen.