A Letter To Sharks Fans... Re: Next Time Boo

Dear Sharks Fans,

Next time boo.

When your team gives up three unanswered goals in the span of 20 minutes.

Boo.

When they come out flat in the third even though they're down 3-1.

Boo.

Saturday's loss was inexcusable. It was against a weaker, slower, injury riddled team. The Red Wings are not what they once were. The loss should not have happened.

Boo.

I used to be proud that San Jose fans did not boo their team. I thought we had more class than those New York and LA fans. I've changed my mind.

Boo.

Before you tell me I'm wrong, take this as an example. On Saturday night, the same night the Sharks were playing host to the Red Wings, the Chicago Blackhawks were visiting the Minnesota Wild. Down 5-1 at the end of the second, Wild fans booed their team off the ice. Sure Chicago is arguably the best team in the league, but fans expected more. They got it. In the third, the Wild rallied back, scoring four unanswered goals and pushed the game to a shootout. They won. 6-5.

Players love playing in San Jose. Joe Thornton; Dany Heatley; they're both very happy here. The weather is great. The fans are great. The media is great. What they really mean is fans don't boo. The media doesn't hold you accountable. Win or lose. Heatley and Thornton get paid. They've played in major hockey markets; they've been held accountable. They want to stay here, where "we'll get them next time" and "we've learned something from it" are acceptable answers.

San Jose fans, make it unacceptable. Mental slip ups won't fly in the playoffs and they should not happen in the regular season. Great teams win the Cup by fighting day in and day out. It's time for San Jose to become a great team.

Maybe by booing, players will realize fans mean business. The boos we reserve for Chris Pronger should be unleashed when the Sharks don't play the way they should. The way they can.

Of course, at the same time. When the Sharks do play the way they can, I expect to hear cheers just as loud, if not louder.

Sincerely,

An Avid Sharks Fan