Sharks-Coyotes: San Jose Eliminates Phoenix from Playoff Chase

What does Brian Campbell, a birthday girl, and a jumbotron have in common?

It was all part of my birthday celebration at the Sharks-Coyotes game, where the Sharks defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 3-1.

Before the game, my best friend had made a "We Love Brian Campbell...He's a Redhead!" sign especially for my birthday, with "It's Her Birthday!" on the back.

I immediately decided that we needed to show this sign during the pre-game warm-ups and throughout the course of the night.

Yes, I did get a lot of strange looks, but it was the price I was willing to pay. Plus, it was my birthday and I can cry...er....cheer if I want to.

I'd like to say that I saw Campbell do a quick glance and laugh at said sign.

So, if you saw a girl walking around with a purple crown and a big sign on the jumbotron, you saw me.

However, it is important to note that lineup regulars like Devin Setoguchi, Craig Rivet, Jonathan Cheechoo, and Mike Grier got the night off. Don't fret though, because they all got to rest and heal the bumps and bruises. Because, as we all know from their Friday night win against the Anaheim Ducks, the Sharks are the 2007-2008 Pacific Division champs.

Once again, I'd like to think my Joe Thornton jersey provided a source of luck for the Sharks way up in section 223.

The first goal of the night came about 15 seconds into the first period from who else but my favorite player, Thornton, with assists from Milan Michalek and returning forward Ryane Clowe.

Shane Doan scored his 28th goal from Derek Morris. The Sharks weren't particularly giving good coverage, as they left Doan right in front of a scrambling Nabokov with all kinds of time.

Thornton appeared on the scoreboard for the second time of the night with his 28th goal of the season from Michalek. The whole play started in the neutral zone, an area the Sharks are usually good in. Thornton skated into Phoenix's zone and ripped a shot that was deflected off of Morris' stick into the net past Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

Curtis Brown scored his goal from Campbell and Jeremy Roenick. The goal was exciting to me not only because Brown is one of the hardest-working Sharks in the lineup, but because I got to wave my Campbell sign around.

The Brown goal all started from winning a battle along the boards, proving that it's those little things that really make a difference in the game. Brown gained puck possession from along the boards, handed it off to Roenick, who made a sweet pass to Campbell. Campbell then threw it on net at the point, and Brown was available to tip it in five-hole on Bryzgalov. 

San Jose earned at least one point in every game since Feb.20, and have subsequently reaped the benefits as division champs.

The Sharks will face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at the Shark Tank for the last home game of the regular season.

Just as a side note, I got two books for my birthday I think all hockey lovers should pick up: "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader: Shoots and Scores" and "Hockey's Most Wanted" by Floyd Conner.