Phones at SAP Center were ringing all day Thursday and hockey fans are opening their wallets to be a part of the San Jose Sharks first Stanley Cup Final appearance in their 25-year history.
The Sharks take on the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Penguins' Game 7 win over Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Fans were paying as much as $300 per ticket to witness history. And they were saying it's well worth it.
“Game one. I don’t know what seats, but it doesn’t matter; we’re there,” said Tom Tanquary. "My son is graduating college tomorrow, and this is his graduation present. He's been down in L.A. for three years, enduring the Kings."
The registers at the Sharks store also were buzzing, and some of the Western Conference Champions merchandise sold out, while the Stanley Cup merchandise was still on its way.
Downtown merchants were abuzz, too, saying the business from the Stanley Cup Final will set them up for the summer.
Also on Thursday, the Sharks brought out the Clarence Campbell Bowl, the trophy awarded to the Western Conference champ. Fans are hoping it's a mere down payment on the big trophy.
Sports
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is Monday in Pittsburgh. It will be televised on NBC Bay Area. Game 2 will be Wednesday, also in Pittsburgh. Then the best-of-seven series comes to San Jose for Game 3 on June 4 and Game 4 on June 6. Game 6, if necessary, also will be in San Jose on June 12.
