Hockey gods, we thank you

By Matthew Cucuzza

Thank the hockey gods that the San Jose Sharks will open their 2008-2009 National Hockey League season against division rival Anaheim Ducks tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the HP Pavilion.

Thank the hockey gods that San Jose dismissed former Head Coach Ron Wilson. Thank the hockey gods for the fresh outlook of new Head Coach Todd McLellan who brings with him Stanley Cup experience from Detroit.

Thank the hockey gods for General Manager Doug Wilson, whose willingness to make difficult roster changes thrust San Jose into what he calls a new era.

Thank the hockey gods for new Sharks acquisitions Rob Blake and Dan Boyle. Their offensive prowess and lethal shots should vastly improve San Jose's power play.

Thank the hockey gods for the Dallas Stars. Pushed to the brink in game six of the Western Conference Semifinal series against San Jose last season, Dallas provided hockey fans with an amazing effort to justly win, in four overtimes, the longest, highest-rated and most memorable game in Sharks history.

Thank the hockey gods for Evgeni Nabokov. A former Sharks' ninth-round draft pick from Kazakhstan, Nabokov quickly and unexpectedly became one of the NHL's top goalies. He was robbed of the Vezina Trophy last season.

Thank the hockey gods that Joe Thornton was traded from Boston to San Jose on November 30, 2005 and has since secured his status among the league's elite players by scoring 302 points -- the most by any NHL player over that span.

Thank the hockey gods for Jamie Baker, the man responsible for arguably the most important goal in Sharks history. His goal in game seven against top-seeded Detroit in 1994 made the Sharks the first No. 8 seed in NHL history to upset a No. 1 seed in the Conference Quarterfinals.

Thank the hockey gods for the Cow Palace. Even though it was a depressing rodeo venue, it's where it all began.

Thank the hockey gods that in 1988 the city of San Jose decided to emerge from the shadows of San Francisco and vote in favor of building the San Jose Arena.

Thank the hockey gods for the Gund family and Howard Baldwin, both of whom ferociously pursued an NHL franchise to play in that venue, now known affectionately as the "Shark Tank."

Thank the hockey gods that in its 17th season of existence, the San Jose Sharks will provide their most promising bid ever for a Stanley Cup victory.

Thank the hockey gods that we are all here to follow it.