San Jose Sharks Outplayed by Chicago Ojibwe, but Win Anyway

(Because the term "Blackhawk" has negative connotations, I will heretofore refer to the Chicago hockey team by the local tribal named used by its own people.) You could have billed this as a competition between the defenceman the Sharks acquired late last season, Brian Campbell, to put them over the hump, and the one who replaced him, Dan Boyle. Or a chance for the Sharks to get revenge on the player who bolted from the very house of his childhood friend (Joe Thornton) for a big contract. Or a chance for Chicago to avenge the 11 straight losses they have suffered at the hands of San Jose. Ultimately, all of those storylines were in play, no matter how much everyone denied it. You listen to the fans bellyache about their team's struggles against a particular opponent, and as a human being who appreciates those who pay your ample salary, you want to make it right. When a player leaves, you understand it's a business and even the reasoning that a player wants to be closer to home. But you also ... (link)