All hockey fans miss hockey over the summer, and that includes me. Here are my top three San Jose Sharks moments I have witnessed in person.
The San Jose Sharks have had some iconic moments in its history, but here are the top three I have seen live.
1. Hertl scores four; goes through the legs
On Oct. 8, 2013, rookie sensation Tomas Hertl scored four goals against the New York Rangers.
I remember vividly this goal, and the game was fantastic. The atmosphere at the Tank was extremely high.
Brent Burns was still playing forward for San Jose, with Joe Thornton in the center and Hertl as the other wing.
Hertl effectively ended goaltender Martin Biron's career. Biron gave up five goals and played just one more game on Oct. 12 before hanging up the skates.
In 2019, the Athletic's Kevin Kurz told a story of what happened when the Sharks went to Madison Square Garden, and there was a memorabilia request.
"I was in the locker room and Woody (said he) had some things for me. (He said), 'Hey, Tomas, I've got something for you here.' I was like, 'What is it?' (Woodcroft said) it was (the) goalie stick from Marty Biron, because you finished his career," Hertl said Thursday.
2. Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 7 2019
This game will forever live in the history of San Jose Sharks fans. The incredible comeback in the series and game seven is arguably one of the most game changes moments in NHL history.
I was not a fan who was attending this game; instead, I was working as a member of the Ice Team.
I originally was not scheduled to work this game, but as I was leaving my college classes for the day, I got a text from my boss asking if I could work.
Of course, I was official and said yes, I could come in, but inside me, all I thought was, "Uh, yes. Duh, it is game seven."
Looking closely at Barclay Goodrow's overtime winner, you can see a cluster of teal uniforms jumping up and down in the Zamboni area. I am in that pack, and this is the loudest I have ever heard in any arena.
3. Hertl dangles Anaheim Ducks; Scores Shorty
Yet again, I was working as a member of the ice team for this goal, but this stuck in my brain for some reason.
On Oct. 3, 2018, Hertl stole the puck shorthanded and dangled Cam Fowler to score one of the smoothest goals.
The San Jose Sharks would lose this game 5-2, but this play is just one of my favorite moments at the SAP Center.
Honorable Mention: Thornton scores hat trick vs. Boston Bruins
Joe Thronton will have his number in the rafters of the SAP Center, but this game was unique.
On Feb. 18, 2019, Jumbo Joe got his first hat trick since 2010 against the team that drafted him.
In this clip, Thornton goes through the bench with hats raining down on the ice. The ice team member that begins to pick up the hats is me. I worked a lot of hat tricks, but this one felt like twice as many hats as usual.