Shark fans get pumped for playoffs at the Tank
Free ice cream and BMX stunts among the many attractions at the Sharks' street party to kick off Stanley Cup Playoffs
Scott Reyburn
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Sports
Indiana Jones didn't get to party like a rock star before his quest for the Holy Grail, but that's exactly what San Jose Sharks fans had an opportunity to do before the Sharks began their similar quest.
A sea of fans decked out in teal packed Autumn Street next to HP Pavilion for the pregame playoff rally before first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to get pumped up for the showdown with the Sharks Southern California nemesis, the Anaheim Ducks.
Approaching the Tank from Santa Clara Street, I could hear the music and the disc jockey at the rally in the distance introducing the entire Sharks roster. Sadly, none of the players actually came out, which dampened my excitement for a chance of seeing Joe Thornton and the gang.
When I reached the site of the rally, I was shocked to see hundreds of fans out, two hours before the game began.
Many fans were lined up to get a free ice cream from the San Jose Sharks ice cream truck. Oh, the power of sugar. Fans were out of luck if they came after 6 p.m. because the free ice cream was for the first 1,000 people.
For a team that I love dearly and have followed for years, it's weird to see this much excitement considering how many times the Sharks have choked in the playoffs. This year is no different. On top of that, the Sharks were shutout in its first game against the Ducks and don't look promising to move on.
The centerpiece attraction for the rally was the BMX stunt team's demonstration on a fly box, a ramp with two quarter pipes back-to-back with a deck in the middle, and quarter pipe ramp. One of the professional BMX riders was San Jose native Shea Nyquist, who is the brother of BMX star Ryan Nyquist.
The only free beverages came from Amp Energy who hand out free samples of their caffeine drinks.
The rally also had activities for kids to enjoy, such as face painting, a poster making table and an air hockey table.
Even cheap beer to get fans more buzzed before the game was to be had at only $5 a pop. The beer was for a good cause, as the proceeds of the beer sales went to The Sharks Foundation.
A sea of fans decked out in teal packed Autumn Street next to HP Pavilion for the pregame playoff rally before first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to get pumped up for the showdown with the Sharks Southern California nemesis, the Anaheim Ducks.
Approaching the Tank from Santa Clara Street, I could hear the music and the disc jockey at the rally in the distance introducing the entire Sharks roster. Sadly, none of the players actually came out, which dampened my excitement for a chance of seeing Joe Thornton and the gang.
When I reached the site of the rally, I was shocked to see hundreds of fans out, two hours before the game began.
Many fans were lined up to get a free ice cream from the San Jose Sharks ice cream truck. Oh, the power of sugar. Fans were out of luck if they came after 6 p.m. because the free ice cream was for the first 1,000 people.
For a team that I love dearly and have followed for years, it's weird to see this much excitement considering how many times the Sharks have choked in the playoffs. This year is no different. On top of that, the Sharks were shutout in its first game against the Ducks and don't look promising to move on.
The centerpiece attraction for the rally was the BMX stunt team's demonstration on a fly box, a ramp with two quarter pipes back-to-back with a deck in the middle, and quarter pipe ramp. One of the professional BMX riders was San Jose native Shea Nyquist, who is the brother of BMX star Ryan Nyquist.
The only free beverages came from Amp Energy who hand out free samples of their caffeine drinks.
The rally also had activities for kids to enjoy, such as face painting, a poster making table and an air hockey table.
Even cheap beer to get fans more buzzed before the game was to be had at only $5 a pop. The beer was for a good cause, as the proceeds of the beer sales went to The Sharks Foundation.
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