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Believe
It's been a long time since I've put pen to paper.
Truthfully, I haven't had much to say, since I've been living in a teal colored
dream. However, the time feels right to say something.
For those that
recall, I wrote an article called 'One More Night in Camelot' just before the
playoffs began. In it, I wished for one last run from this group of players,
one last moment of glory that lasted well into late spring. Since then, I've
felt like a kid watching a dream come true before his eyes. I didn't want to do
anything to break that spell. I never wanted the winning to end.
But
here we stand, facing a 3-1 series deficit and heading back to the unfriendly
confines of Pittsburgh.
The mood after last nights' game in the Shark
Tank has been described as a 'funeral procession', and it's not hard to
understand why.
When confronted with the grim reality of what last
nights' loss has done, it's only natural to feel hopeless; and maybe to get a
head start of dealing with the anticipated grief, loss, and sadness. Already
there is talk of next year's roster, what-if moments, second guessing of
coaching, and a whole lot of predictions on how and why things have done south.
It's almost as if we've all forgotten it isn't over yet.
Listen, I get it. We are a fan base well acquainted with broken hearts. That's
the price we agree to pay for cheering on this team, even if we all harbour a
secret hope that maybe this year things will be different. For 25 years that
bill has come due, and we've all paid it with our tears, angst, anger,
frustration, and in some cases blind rage. We've done all of that without
having a direct say in how anything plays out. It's all been beyond our
control, leaving us with only one thing that's still within our grasp: the
ability to reinvest - to believe; or to give up - to doubt.
So let's
just believe.
Let's believe because for the first time in our
franchise's history there a real chance that we won't end the season with pain.
Let's believe because the best road team in the league is eminently
capable of winning in Pittsburgh and sending this series back to San Jose for
Sunday night.
Let's believe because we have yet to see how the
Penguins handle adversity within a game.
Let's believe because Joe
Thornton has looked pretty good, the Sharks are getting some chances, Joe
Pavelski still knows how to play hockey, Martin Jones is a damn fine
goaltender, and pucks can hit the post and go into the net sometimes.
Let's believe because if there ever was a time to believe this was it. This
isn't blind hope, as we're actually in the Finals. What is to be gained by
giving up now? After all this road we've walked together? We've gone this far,
why not just hold on right to the end.
Finally, let's believe because
it's the only thing that is within our power. We can't effect the outcome on
the ice. We can't force a penalty call, will a puck past a goaltender, win a
battle in the corner, or influence any of the tiny things on which a game can
pivot.
All we control is our reaction and expectation.
So
believe. Believe until it is pried from your cold fingers. Believe until the
final nail is in the coffin. Believe because hope is so much better than
despair.
Believe the ride isn't. We're still in Camelot, and dawn
hasn't yet broken.
Believe.
Contact Ryan at at
ryanhall@letsgosharks.com
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