Sharks fever hits San Jose as team heads to Stanley Cup Final
SAN JOSE (KGO) -- The Bay Area's largest city is on the verge of a first. Next week, San Jose will host its first-ever Stanley Cup playoff game at SAP Center.
The success of the Sharks is a real point of pride for San Jose and long overdue if you ask fans.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final will be at the San Jose SAP Center and fans and businesses are getting ready.
"It's home. San Jose is home, so they're bringing it," said San Jose resident Robert Garcia.
Sharks fans don't mince words.
"This is the most amazing time in my life right now," said San Jose resident Daniel Becerril.
It's an amazing time for all of San Jose. Mayor Sam Liccardo says the Sharks are a great source of pride and economic impact, an estimated $200 million a year.
"There's a lot of folks who benefit from the Sharks' success and we want them to continue playing games in downtown, so we love it when they get deeper and deeper in the playoffs," Liccardo said.
Liccardo is talking about hotels, taxi drivers, and of course, establishments like Britannia Arms where the shots are teal and the owners are ready for Stanley Cup action.
"If you wanted to try to get to my office down there, you're going to have to climb over the kegs of beer, and we're hoping after the game you'll be climbing over empty kegs of beer," said co-owner Michael North.
Manager Shane Murray might be the biggest fan in the place. "It's a fantastic time for us. I think it's good for the Bay Area and I don't care what anyone says, we are a hockey town," Murray said.
And the head of the hockey town is already counting on the cup coming home to San Jose.
"Fortunately, they don't put me in charge of parade planning. I just take full responsibility as mayor for all the victories," Liccardo said.
Confidence among elected officials is high. Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese made a bet with a counterpart in Pittsburgh. The loser has to wear the other team's jersey while delivering donations to the Boys and Girls Club.
