KINGS 1, FLAMES SHARKS 3

Could they come through in the clutch?

Could they fight off all of the negativity flying around the franchise?

Could they somehow do what they’ve been incapable of doing for so long?

…or would they choke again?

No. Not this time.

Last night, they finally broke through. And for a franchise that has longed for a big win in the worst way, they celebrated appropriately.

“There’s a reason why they’ve won two Cups in the last three years, right?” said Flames forward Jiri Hudler Sharks forward Joe Pavelski after the 3-1 win to eliminate the LA Kings. “They’re a heavy team, but they can skate, as well, and they’re super talented. Any win against them is great, but this one is, obviously, special.”

It wasn’t easy, but they worked hard all season to reach this goal.

“We definitely earned this,” said Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman Sharks defenseman Brent Burns.

And it truly was special.

“It was crazy,” said Flames head coach Bob Hartley Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. “Guys were jumping. Sticks were flying every where. We could almost feel fans going through the glass … it’s a great feeling. To pull through in front of our fans was a classy way to do it.”

It was a franchise-defining moment.

So it’s easy to understand that fans would relish and truly enjoy the moment.

@stace_ofbase love too look at fancy charts pic.twitter.com/eJ6VmgWidI — Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) April 10, 2015

GOOD THING THE REGULAR SEASON DOESN'T MATTER RIGHT @LAKINGS? — Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) April 10, 2015

RIP Los Angeles Kings Fanbase (June 11, 2012 – April 9, 2015) — Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) April 10, 2015

GOOD FUCKING BYE LOS ANGELES — stace_offlams (@stace_ofbase) April 10, 2015

WE DID IT. THE FLAMES BEAT THE KINGS AND THE SAN JOSE SHARKS HAVE WON THE STANLEY CUP. — Derick (@insomniapath) April 10, 2015

I'm more happy that the Kings are out than I am sad that the Sharks are out. #Schadenfreude — Sean O'Sullivan (@Seansy89) April 10, 2015

Looks like Justin Williams is changing his name to ** Mr. Hole 7. — stace_offlams (@stace_ofbase) April 10, 2015

To everyone in North America outside Los Angeles, you're welcome. To everyone in Los Angeles, hockey is a sport played on ice with a circula — Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) April 10, 2015

I'm not even uber upset that the Sharks didn't make the playoffs this year because I'm more excited that the Kings didn't either — Hailey Kathleen (@allhailsmitty14) April 10, 2015

@AndrewCieslak I'm the happiest person in the world — stace_offlams (@stace_ofbase) April 10, 2015

So happy the Kings didn't make it, makes the Sharks not going a little easier to stomach. — Andrew (@morbital) April 10, 2015

It took 11 months but this tweet is finally, legitimately relevant https://t.co/3mmAqRuD1H — Fear The Fin (@fearthefin) April 10, 2015

Knowing the LA Kings are missing the playoffs makes the Sharks missing them a little easier to handle lol #FucktheKings #GoSharks — Ryan (@rcbz1994) April 10, 2015

Flames knocked kings out. Slight joy for a sharks fan today — Jeannine (@j9trippi) April 10, 2015

The only consolation of the Sharks not making the playoffs is that the Kings aren't going either. — Nina B. (@DCFanatic4life) April 10, 2015

No Playoffs… Oh well, Sharks Win, Kings Lose… Solid Thursday — Joe Acre (@SJacre7) April 10, 2015

So kings are out of the playoffs , Giants win and sharks win — Andrea Mendoza (@Drea_Hertl) April 10, 2015

KINGS OUT, SHARKS WIN!!!! — Jade (@XLinkin_PunkX) April 10, 2015

GIANTS WIN WILD WIN KINGS ELIMINATED SHARKS WIN GOD IS REAL — Glendy (@vlasicalcouture) April 10, 2015

Sharks won. Kings didn't make playoffs. BU is going to the national championship. Thank you hockey gods. ‍‌‌‌‌‍ — Mar (@mamarisaa_) April 10, 2015

@SanJoseSharks And the Kings got eliminated — @Acetrain1981 (@acetrain1981) April 10, 2015

@SanJoseSharks got revenge on the Oilers AND the Kings got eliminated from playoff contention! Yes! Teal for life!! #sjsharks #laqueens — Sebastian Babicz (@ADTRSebastian9) April 10, 2015

With all sincerity, from the bottom of my heart, I am so happy for the biggest win you have ever experienced, Sharks fans.