The entire Bay Area is abuzz with the prospect of having two local sports franchises playing for championships.
And both teams will be in action Monday night: the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the Warriors ended their 40-year title drought last season, the Sharks ended a 25-year wait to get to their first-ever final series. Some hockey fans can hardly contain their excitement.
"It's been fantastic," said Robert Hinds, of San Jose. "I've been waiting a long time for this, and I've been a season ticketholder for 14 years, so it's very exciting to see it finally happen."
Many fans at Stanley's sports bar at Sharks Ice in San Jose on Sunday were toasting to the Sharks' first shot at the coveted NHL trophy and to the Warriors' possible return to the NBA Finals for a championship repeat.
"I'll be right here watching both games," said Jim Fletcher, of Pleasanton.
The Sharks face off at 5 p.m. in Pittsburgh (on NBC Bay Area). The Warriors tip off at 6 p.m. on their home court at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
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"For 25 years, I've waited for the Sharks to do this, and the Warriors, they spoke for themselves last night," Fletcher said. "This is all super good stuff."
