17,496 fans. 17,496 genuine, passionate, loyal fans, all gathered at the SAP Center on a Sunday night for the matchup of long-time California rivals, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. To Sharks fans’ disappointment, the Kings won 3-2 in a thrilling overtime. 

Early on in the first period, it was evident the Kings were making a statement; they’re the number one team in the Pacific Division for a reason. Their fast skaters, aggressive defense, bold forwards, and elite goalies were clearly displaying all the top qualities a number one team obtains. Sharks, however, would not let them control the game in their home, as the Kings were hoping to do. The first powerplay was awarded to the Kings against defenseman, Brenden Dillon. Although Los Angeles was persistent, San Jose was able to successfully kill the powerplay. It was then the Sharks turn at the man advantage, as McNabb got sent to the box for interference. With only two minutes left in the period it was vital the Sharks score if they wanted to end the period with a lead over L.A.. San Jose fans showed tremendous support for the team chanting “beat L.A.” as the pressure was on to convert in the powerplay. Kings’ defensive lines gave everything they had in the last minutes, limiting the Sharks to any good chances and killing the power-play.

As much as the Sharks tried to equalize the momentum of the game, it was clear the the Kings’ defense and offense dominated the Sharks. Sharks ended the period with 5 shots on goal, half of what the Kings accomplished. Kings, who are known to be a rough team, were not shy about making hard hits whenever, for whatever reason. Thus enticing Sharks players players to give back everything they were receiving; if a King delivered a nasty check, San Jose made sure to deliver two in exchange.

Passion from both fans created an exhilarating energy in the arena, as the turnout from Los Angeles fans was quite large. Sharks fans made sure L.A. fans knew it was their territory, chanting “Beat L.A.” and “Lets go Sharks” almost every two minutes.

After the scoreless period, it was evident the rivalry would elevate in the second period, and that it did. Less than four minutes into the period, Sharks captain Joe Pavelski scored a powerplay influenced goal, his 24th goal of the season and 5th in most goals in the NHL, with assists by Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. Sharks fans, alike players, celebrated the vital first goal of the game, as every team who’s scored first in the Shark Tank has ended up winning the game. The energy was thrilling at this point, there was lots of tension felt all around not only from the crowd but the players as well. Frustration oozed from both teams as each team was getting extremely close and great chances to score but none were able to convert. The frustration from the players was reflected in the first scrap of the game between Sharks’ Justin Braun and Kings’ Tyler Toffoli, which was quickly ended by the officials as they are aware with so much passion, things can take an ugly turn.

The Sharks were able to make a triumphant comeback in the second period and played their most confident minutes of the night.

The third period came round and it was really time for both teams to showcase their talents and skill. At this point, it’s still anyone’s game and both teams know that. After all, it’s just a one goal game. The pace of this period can be characterized as desperate. Desperate times calls for desperate measures, perilous plays yet nervous mistakes are creating chances on both ends.

Reckless plays–specifically by Sharks’ Mike Brown— results in a vital power-play for the Kings, they now have a chance to tie the game. Fully taking advantage of their opportunity, Drew Doughty blasts one past goalie Martin Jones as Kings’ Toffoli obstructs his view, allowing the slap shot to easily go in the net. Kings fans are no longer transparent, with a tie game it becomes clear the amount of Los Angeles fans is substantial, and they are no longer keeping a low profile. The stress level has gone through the roof for every person in the arena. Beat L.A. chants are intensifying greatly. After fighting through elite defenseman Doughty, Joonas Donskoi creates time and space for centre Logan Couture to power a shot through Enroth cuing the goal sirens, red flashing lights behind the net, and fiery chants, a perfect scenery for any Shark fan. A goal that would have seemed like a great goal any other night became a fervent goal that night, as it gave the home team a lead against the hated Kings.

Sharks defense then had the difficult–but not impossible– task of limiting the King’s chances of scoring to little or none in the last eight minutes of the game. Confident and aware of the critical situations, Sharks successfully killed two Los Angeles power-plays and we’re ready to celebrate a huge win against the despised Kings.

The unthinkable happened that night at SAP Center. Los Angeles head coach Darryl Sutter called for his goalie with less than 30 seconds left in the game, giving his team the man advantage. 12.2 seconds on the clock. No one would’ve thought what was next. Just like that, the crowd is dumbfounded; Los Angeles ties the game with 12.2 seconds left in the game. 12.2 seconds away from sweet victory, it all deteriorated.

To San Jose players, alike fan’s, worst nightmare, the game would have to be decided either in a nerve-wrecking overtime or a daunting shootout. With one minute left in the overtime, Marleau, Burns, and Donskoi had the perfect setup, Marleau would pass to Burns and he would then deliver his coveted slap shot towards the net. Recognizing the staple Sharks play, Kings’ Toffoli blocked Marleau’s attempted pass and then tipped it to Marian Gaborik who in turn got a breakaway. Joonas Donskoi–a forward– was left to defend Gaborik but failed to match his speed giving Gaborik a perfect chance. Gaborik gained his ninth goal of the season.

“It sucks, you know? We thought we had them… but that’s hockey,” alternate captain Joe Thornton says.

Every person in the arena that night really believed and thought the Sharks would come out victorious, as Thornton perfectly described. The home crowd was distraught. I personally have experienced a couple home losses, but none was as upsetting as this one, you could really feel the disappointment from everyone in the building.

Even though San Jose didn’t get the full two points they wanted, they did at least earn one point in the overtime; crucial in the Pacific Division. Although its hard for Shark fans to admit, Kings had the tenacity that the Sharks lost in the last minutes, therefore deserving the two points.