Sharks fans are losing it over first ever Stanley Cup berth
Defeating the Blues 5-2 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, the Sharks advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The St. Louis Blues attempted a third period comeback, with Vladimir Tarasenko scoring two goals minutes apart, but the San Jose Sharks proved to be the most dominant team.
At the start of the first period, Sharks captain Joe Pavelski put the puck in the net for San Jose, once again fulfilling the series pattern that the winning team scores the first goal. Rightwing Joel Ward added two Sharks goal, one coming in the second period and another in the third. The final period actually contained the most action from both teams, with Joonas Donksoi and Logan Couture adding two more goals for San Jose in the third period and Vladimir Tarasenko getting back-to-back goals for the Blues.
In his first season as a starter, Sharks goaltender Martin Jones earned two consecutive shutouts and made 24 saves out of 26 shots on goal in Game 6 for a .923 save percentage.
The Sharks’ historic first Western Conference Finals victory resulted in Twitter responses based in years of anticipation and disappointment. Blues fans also took to Twitter to express their frustrations with the team. Here are some of the most memorable Tweets following Game 6:
— 2008-17 capitals survivor (@averagecapsfan) May 26, 2016
We should've locked Ward in the bathroom again so he couldn't have left.
— 2008-17 capitals survivor (@averagecapsfan) May 26, 2016
Lmao pic.twitter.com/Mrj7g1urlu
— Timothy Jimothy (@kaczar_soze) May 26, 2016
i don't care wat happens in the stanley cup final as long as logan couture doesn't win the conn smythe
— nowhere guy (@starkmone) May 26, 2016
"Oh well, there's always game seven." – Troy Brouwer
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) May 26, 2016
It's a lot harder to watch a team advance to the Stanley Cup Final when your team was a game away from playing in this series...
— Zach (@ZWal93) May 26, 2016
Well, St. Louis. You fought hard and that's what matters. Welcome to the offseason. Refreshments are in the corner. pic.twitter.com/0csEGz0Mai
— Blackout Dallas (@BlackoutDallas) May 26, 2016
Maybe next time you don't use up all of your goals in the 7th game of the second round.
— Jordan Dix (@jordan_dix) May 26, 2016
**local blogger sees their signal in the sky**
— Second City Hockey (@2ndCityHockey) May 26, 2016
“Finally, I can make fun of St. Louis again."
"Non-traditional" hockey market San Jose is about to make the Stanley Cup Final. Take that, narratives!
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNation_NHL) May 26, 2016
THE SAINT LOUIS BLUES ARE DEAD! THEYRE DEAD!!! This was the best chance they've had in 40+ years and they're D-E-A-D, DEAD
— Chief (@BarstoolChief) May 26, 2016
That's Tarasenko's first point of the series?? More like Tarasenknoshow right guys?
— connor (@ConIsles) May 26, 2016
mcdonagh and Nash for shattenkirk and tarasenko. yes? no?
— N (@fiveonfir3) May 26, 2016
Can't wait for the Blues' traditional overreaction panic move this offseason
— Zach (@ZWal93) May 26, 2016
Joe Thornton, Joe Thornton's hands, and Joe Thornton's beard are going to the Final. Good for him. Good for hockey. Good for the Union army.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 26, 2016
If Tarasenko gets the hattrick goal here they should bring out A-Rod to trot around the bases while he celebrates.
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) May 26, 2016
— commie rae jepsen (@atrodorsus) May 26, 2016
Live look at fans in San Jose pic.twitter.com/dIjOkmaxeb
— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) May 26, 2016
THIS IS WEIRD pic.twitter.com/Kw6hFtbvrZ
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) May 26, 2016
History. pic.twitter.com/lM0TjFFH9r
— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) May 26, 2016
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 26, 2016
— Nick Shepkowski (@NickShepkowski) May 26, 2016
The Sharks make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals beginning Monday, May 30. More information will be released following Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, May 26. The game will be aired on NBC Sports Network at 8:00 PM ET.
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