(This story was originally published on June 12, 2016)
SAN JOSE — One day, maybe it will be the Sharks carrying the Stanley Cup across the ice and kissing it the way that a lost lover kisses a lost love.
Sunday, that team was the Pittsburgh Penguins.
One day, maybe the Sharks will have their greatest season ever the way they did this season, but have a happy ending.
Sunday, the ending meant a losing handshake line after a 3-1 defeat in Game 6, then gliding to the exit tunnel hearing loud cheers from the SAP Center crowd who saluted the players for going farther than anyone had a right to expect.