SAN FRANCISCO LOSES IN A KNOCK-DOWN DRAG OUT

It was Star Wars Day at the Barn. The Bulls celebrated St, Patrick’s Day yesterday and saved today for Yoda, Luke and the rest of those wacky, space creatures to help raise money for Kristi Yamaguchi’s organization Always Dream Foundation.

Rawhide 

Many fans showed up in cool getups. I had a great time at the game, going with my friend who had never been to a hockey game before. But she’s one of my closest and oldest friends and we’ve gone to many SF Giants games together including a historic playoff game, so I owe her a few.

It was also our last chance to see the ex-Bulls players, including Alex Tuckerman and Jordan Clendenning.

Alex Tuckerman (photo: Dan Parks)

The game started off well. The Bulls scored first with Christian Ouellet’s goal. Then Christian scored again, making it 2-0. But that would be all that the Bulls chalked up that afternoon goal-wise. Maybe the team was tired. But The Grizzlies were probably even more tired. So, I’m not sure why the team lacked the energy of the night before.

Ian Schultz (photo Dan Parks)

Until Thomas Greiss, the San Jose Sharks backup Goalie, gets back to full health and we get Thomas Heemskerk back from the Worcester Sharks, Taylor Nelson is our only Goaltender. He wasn’t as sharp today as he was in Game One; he let a few cheap goals through. He's not going to be perfect all the time, and at least the team has a week to rest up after today. 

And the chirping that had started last night began again. It flared up in the Third Period, when the score was 4-2 Utah, soon to be 6-2. Tommy Grant was given a five-minute major for elbowing and both sides on the ice nearly erupted. This ended with half dozen Bulls players being tossed out of the game, including Tommy Grant, Dean Ouellet, Mikael Tam, Ian Schultz, Mark Isherwood and Tristan King. The Bulls bench was nearly empty!

Dylan King had gotten into a good fight and bloodied his nose and left the game a little earlier. Also hurt was Scott Langdon, but it was his throat and he should be good for Friday’s game.

Dylan King fighting (photo: Dan Parks)

There were a lot of families and many new fans at this afternoon’s game. I love seeing people experiencing the Bulls for the first time. I’m glad more people are discovering what a great team we have. I welcome all of you to the Barn and hope you enjoy yourselves.

I saw a small bunch of new fans in the Seats In Goal area trying to get The Wave going today. Please, this must be stopped! San Francisco, even outside of hockey has longstanding tradition of hating The Wave. We boo Wave-doers at San Francisco Giants games. Outside of LA, it’s unacceptable. So, please, friends don’t let friends do The Wave.

The outcome of the game was disappointing, but we’re only a few points from snagging that last spot in the Playoffs and we should do it this upcoming weekend. Be at the Barn for our battle with the Stockton Thunder.

And remember the cheer:

What’s the matter with Stockton?

It’s in Stockton!

GO BULLS!