City of San Jose on display as host of Stanley Cup Final
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- On Saturday, the San Jose Sharks will try to get their first win in the Stanley Cup Final and on their home ice.
It's also a chance for the city to showcase itself like never before.
With an international audience of millions, the Stanley Cup Final will shine the spotlight on the city, which many people will visit for the very first time.
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For those who have been here before, they'll likely notice how much the downtown has transformed over the past decade. It's no longer a place just to see an outdoor monopoly board in the park. Residents are banking on showing off the city in a new light.
"We've got opera, we've got the performing arts center, we've got plays, we've got bars, entertainment, excellent food," boasted John Klopp, a San Jose resident.
"Different ethnicities, different cultures and different walks of life, so having all of that combined together in a city like San Jose is very unique," said Nishant Pandya, also a San Jose resident.
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Tourism officials say it's still too early to tell how much of an economic impact the Stanley Cup Final will have as a whole, but they aren't denying the publicity that comes with being in the final.
"We've got so many great things in this area, for people to come, see, do, and hang out and play, and it's a great chance for us to show the world that," Kyle Schatzel with Team San Jose.
Even the players themselves are feeling San Jose's Shark pride.
"You can feel the energy going around the city right now, everyone's excited for this game here, and you know, the crowd that shows up, and makes the Tank what it is, it's pretty cool and it's pretty special," Joe Pavelski, the Sharks captain.
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The Sharks host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 5 p.m. at the SAP Center.
For full coverage on the Sharks, click here.
