Sharks enter playoffs; recently add model to team

The Golden State Warriors aren't the only Bay Area sports team fans are rooting for to go all the way. On Thursday night, the San Jose Sharks defeated their rivals, the Los Angeles Kings, 4-3 in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Even with the Sharks playing in Los Angeles, fans packed Stanley's Sports Bar in Sharks Ice to show support for their beloved Sharks looking for revenge.

"I'm excited and nervous," said Dominica Sorci of San Jose. "It's an exciting time. I've been getting pumped all week."

Early, on you can sense the two teams were ready for battle. The Kings scored first, but the Sharks bounced back. The Sharks have a history of falling short in the playoffs. Fans remember the heartbreak in 2014 when they blew a 3-0 lead in the series to the Kings. The Kings then won the Stanley Cup.

"Aww man, we have to get these guys," said Joshua Summers of San Jose. "We have some recent history against the Kings so it's a nice revenge series," said Summers.

In 25 years, the Sharks have never made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Fans said, this year, Sharks have more weapons, including a new coaching staff, more depth with their players and their traditions; one of them being the fans like the players, growing their ‘playoff beards’.

"I started this when they first clinched the spot," said Summers. "It won't come off until they are out or they win."

The Sharks are also getting buzz for the new goalie signed this week, Mantas Armalis of Lithuania. Away from the ice, he happens to be a model.

"He's a model, he's pretty good looking, but we will see what he can do for us," said Sharon Ho of Alameda.

Whether or not Armalis delivers remains to be seen, but it all amounts to Sharks fever where businesses are reaping the benefits.

"With the Sharks in the playoffs, we can double our revenues on a day like today," said Daniel Anglikowski of Stanley's Sports Bar Manager.

"It's driving people to the downtown area to the bars. Hotels are full. It’s always a great thing for the City of San Jose," said Jim Sparaco of San Jose Sharks.

The Sharks play the Kings in Los Angeles again on Saturday. They return to the SAP Center on Monday in the best of seven series.