San Jose Sharkspeare

When faced the option of the cleanest victory or tempting defeat that chokes the air from the lungs and dashes hopes against stormy shores in a story seven chapters, we find ourselves harshly wrung.

And if game six is more the same and Niemi still a sieve, I shall be working on a new sonnet "my goalie's body is nothing like a wall."

In face of loss, I say my thanks for this bright bit of joy.

A man's home is his castle, and in our moat do Kings drown.

First blood drawn, as captain cut to the Quick...

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drench’d our steeples, drown’d the cocks!

After cruel loss at hands of the Bruins Came northern neighbors in battle well met. First Antti lay Habs scoring to ruins Then face unfamiliar took up the net. Hertl awoke from six-game goal slumber, In seconds he made score read one-zero. Senators shot in increasing number, But Stalock stood and proved himself hero. From Canada flew, two victories in hand, Returned the lead for a few days at least, But challenge awaits in western homeland For next Sharkie faces Bailey the beast. Our chances look good (and that's not bravado)... Could someone just beat Roy's Colorado?

From peaceful west there came a mighty team Whose goals came so quick as to light the dark, And night by nightly, in each foe it seemed There was no strength enough to thwart the Sharks. Their rivals feared the aim of the shooted puck, Upon the ice they made a stark tableau, And all felt the sting of worst of luck When string was struck again by Pat Marleau. Then met a Finnish wall, and scoring ceased. Though sticks met pucks at self-same frantic pace, Success was sacrificed to fearsome beast who made his mission to break head and face. And with fractions left, a loss most unfair From Beantown made exit, pursued by bear