The roar started in the third period.
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The team’s 5-2 win sends the San Jose Sharks to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time ever since they joined the National Hockey League in 1991.
“Unbelievable, especially to do it at home”, Sharks center Joe Thornton said. These guys have been waiting 25 years. “I’ve known Patty a long, long time”. They will face either the Pittsburgh Penguins or Tampa Bay Lightning, who square off for their decisive Eastern Conference championship game Thursday.
Asked if he had a preferred opponent in the Cup finals, Thornton had a giddy reply. He’s played another two season’s worth of games in the playoffs, 165 games, but has never experienced the feeling of having his skate touch the ice in the Stanley Cup Finals. Like rookies Robbi Fabri, tied for third on the team in goals this year, and Colton Parayko, who’s blistering shot from the point will be a well-know commodity next season. San Jose limited the Blues scoring chances and absolutely shut down Vladimir Tarasenko while taking advantage of just enough of its numerous opportunities against the Blues’ great goaltending.
“We’ll enjoy this tonight and the focus will turn to the big prize on Friday”.
They then took on the Dallas Stars, the team that won the west. It was a grueling seven games, but after the final horn, the Blues finished on top. It’s so hard to win a series. He anxiously stood outside the SAP Center, searching for affordable tickets before Wednesday’s game began.
“When you’re fighting for your playoff life right until the end, fighting for position in the playoffs, playing the L.A. Kings in the first round, every game has been the most important next game”.
As is hockey custom, Pavelski didn’t touch the trophy. His role on the ice has decreased as his age has increased, but he is still a vital part of the team.
When the Sharks needed a big goal, their power play proved their biggest weapon. But Wednesday’s win was still a historic step.
The Sharks defense was able to keep the Blues’ big guns at bay for the majority of the series.
Four of the top six scorers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are on the Sharks. Both captain David Backes and winger Troy Brouwer need new contracts. Martin Jones made 24 saves, Ward posted his second straight two-goal game and rookie Joonas Donskoi also scored as the Sharks got lots of contributions from some of the newcomers general manager Doug Wilson brought in over the past year.
Pavelski’s goal in Game 5 was the second of the game for the Sharks’ top line at even strength.
Thornton assisted on Pavelski’s goal less than four minutes into the game to set the tone and Marleau had two assists in the third period that set off chants of “We Want The Cup!” But if the Penguins win, then Game 3 of the Finals would be in San Jose.
The Sharks, though, regrouped and Couture’s goal with 19.7 seconds left punctuated the win.
“I think history has proven that you want to finish these series as quickly as possible, get as much rest as possible”, Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said. “Ended up really hurting us in this series”. Jones wasn’t the reason the Sharks won this series, but his steady play kept San Jose in games – that’s all this group needs.
Pavelski and Thornton connected on the opening goal at 3:57 of the first, shattering the Blues spirits right out of the gates. They’ve done pretty much everything else. The only other lineup changes came when the team swapped out Tommy Wingels for Dainius Zubrus for two games. Couture has a team-leading 16 assists – including a helper on the Game 6 game-winner – for the Sharks to go with eight goals.
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“Guys haven’t been this far and you can feel the energy among the guys in the locker room and the city of San Jose”, Sharks forward Tommy Wingels said.
