12/7 colorado 5, SHARKS 2

The Sharks returned home from a pretty successful road trip ready to triumph over the lackluster Colorado Avalanche, losers of two straight. Well, the fans were ready to triumph, anyway. The players, however, seemed a little unprepared. The Jekyll/Hyde Sharks were in their Hyde form tonight, as a 30-minute effort was not enough to stymie the always potent Joe Sakic and the previously unknown Brett Clark. Both Colorado players (what is the singular of Avalanche?) registered a pair of goals and an assist, as Jose Theodore played a relatively strong game in net, stopping 28 of 30 shots faced, including all 13 in a pretty active third period for the Sharks.

Jonathan Cheechoo recorded his first point since returning from the IR four games ago. Midway through the first period, he took a pass from Joe Thornton and slapped it past Theodore, knotting the score at 1.

There were plenty of Avalanche fans in attendance last night. Not as many as most 'Lanche-Sharks game, but enough to be a nuisance every time the blue and maroon (great color name to be proud of) scored.

As I say every time I return home from a road trip, I make sure to mention how nice it is to watch a game at the Tank as a Sharks fan, and this game was no different, despite the outcome of the contest. The wide concourses, the familiar food stands, and the great sight lines from the peaks of 213 (not sarcasm, it really is an awesome place to watch a game, come visit me up there any time. Section 213, row 16, seats 1-2).

It was very nice to see such great support for last night's Toys for Tots drive. If you are going tomorrow, don't feel left out of the giving, as tomorrow is still the season to bring toys to the arena for Toys for Tots. The game is against the not-so-cute and fluffy Paul Kariya and the Nashville Predators (game time 7:30 PST).

Go Sharks (go stuff the Predators)
-Jess