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Boc Gameday Part 2: Jinx of the Chen

Anaheim Ducks (23-20-7) at San Jose Sharks (33-10-8), 7:30 PM PST

When we last left our intrepid heroes, they'd just vanquished the evil purple-and-black Imperial army, and commenced on the journey home, only to find it invaded by winged beasts led by a demonic general with a massive bald spot. Our heroes seem to have overcome what's ailed them, with an outburst of secondary scoring and fearless goaltending from the masked warrior known as Nabokov.

And now, with a quiet confidence and steady focus, our heroes prepare to carry their momentum forward as they exorcise the fair land of HP from the winged duck-like demons. However, it's unknown how the hockey gods will cast their fortunes, not when our heroes carry the jinx of the Chen with them.

That's right, folks. My lame attempt at a fairy tale-esque intro is all a lead up to reveal what the Sharks' biggest problem will be tonight. Not Ryan Getzlaf and his spray-on hair, or Bobby Ryan and his suddenly hot patriotic hand, or Jonas "Heil" Hiller. Nope, it's the fact that I will be in HP Pavilion, settled into my customary 205 spot next to my dad.

Last year, the Sharks hardly lost when we went, especially when we went to our good-luck Chinese food place on Market Street before the game. This season, my crazy family emergencies have limited me to two games: the 7-2 disaster against Chicago and a 3-2 shootout loss against St. Louis -- a game which saw the Sharks blow it in the dying seconds. We even tried switching up the mojo by eating at Erik's Deli Cafe against St. Louis (my dad is as superstitious as I am, and he's convinced that it's because he got a soup bread bowl instead of a sandwich).

So there are two ways to look at this. The optimistic way is that the Sharks got manhandled by Chicago but did better against St. Louis, only to shoot themselves in the foot. That means that things are swinging upward and my apparent jinx is wearing off. The pessimistic way is that the Sharks failed to show up against Chicago and found a way to lose against St. Louis, meaning that I'm cursing every aspect of it.

Star-divide

Of course, there's the whole mojo related to what jersey I wear to the game to. So far, Dan Boyle is 0-1-1, so it might be time to bust out the good ol' Roenick 27 jersey. It'll also help honor my newly discovered Man(ny)-crush on one bad-ass defensive forward who wears #27. I just hope that the dual-awesomeness of Roenick/Malhotra can fend off the jinx of the Chen.

Crap. I just heard Boyle's out tonight, Jason Demers is up. Damn you, evil purple-and-black Imperials, damn you and your Boyle-damaging attacks!

The Duck I'd Like On My Team: I have a thing for guys who wear 27. Scotty Nieds, how about driving up 101 come late-February?

Prediction: Sharks 27, Ducks 0. All goals by Malhotra. The jinx of the Chen is lifted, Dan Boyle is magically healed, and all is right in the world.

0 recs  |  Comment 21 comments |

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Comments

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Crap. I just heard Boyle’s out tonight

Huh, I never knew Dan Boyle was Finnish.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 21, 2010 11:48 AM PST reply actions  

finally some good news

you double jinxed chen by posting a gameday post also…they game might be in the bag for us already

I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it

LONG LIVE BOC!!!.......GO DUCKS!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 21, 2010 11:51 AM PST up reply actions  

I dunno, I think the Gameday jinx might only affect the Kings. But we’ll see, I’m not optimistic.

by Mike Chen on Jan 21, 2010 11:56 AM PST up reply actions  

When you are a jinx, it is your duty to make sure it does not affect the team. You see, I’m a jinx to the Sharks when they play Chicago. I was at the game in Chicago in mid November, and they blew a 2 goal lead and lost in OT. Then I was at the Day-Before-Thanksgiving Debacle in San Jose. I did not go to the game against Chicago in Chicago in late December, and they won. You can bet your ass I will not be there next Thursday when Chicago comes to town again. I know what has to happen.

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jan 21, 2010 1:45 PM PST reply actions  

I believe the jinx is broken! It might be the Roenick jersey.

by Mike Chen on Jan 21, 2010 11:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Congrats good sir!

Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Jan 22, 2010 1:35 AM PST up reply actions  

Or it could just be the notorious slump-busting Ducks.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 22, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions  

Roenick (and his jerseys) has the power to break curses. I’d keep it safe and wear the 27 for a while, make sure the Sharks are in good shape.

Of course, as Sleek said, it couldda been the Ducks. I had been on a personal 3-game losing streak for games I was in attendance for…until I went to the Ducks game last night. Good times!

Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jan 22, 2010 3:10 PM PST up reply actions  

Oh, and congrats to Mike Chen for making the SBN leap — to our new From The Rink overlord!

Seriously, good news — I was worried about the future of FTR until I heard that.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 22, 2010 11:11 AM PST reply actions  

My first order as FTR overlord will be to make Spade the official mascot.

by Mike Chen on Jan 22, 2010 11:16 AM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, I was thinking at one point of trying to incorporate Spade into our user sign-up rules:

Welcome to Battle of California, please observe the following rules:

1. Keep it cleaner than Spade.

He does make for a nice behavior boundary.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 22, 2010 11:22 AM PST up reply actions  

And for grammar too. If Spade can’t understand what someone is saying, they’re out.

Anaheim Ducts

by brokenyard on Jan 22, 2010 1:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Honestly

It’s not difficult to remain “cleaner” than a man who recently suggested anal intercourse with an animated character (Jessica Rabbit)

"Devin Setoguchi’s haircut has released the dragon." – Drew Remenda

by Evilducks on Jan 22, 2010 3:06 PM PST up reply actions  

But Spade speaks in his own language, so no one will know that he’s talking about sodomizing a cartoon.

by Mike Chen on Jan 22, 2010 11:51 PM PST up reply actions  

i want to be on record that im not down with double dipping…as it relates to that subject

I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it

LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!

GO DUCKS!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 25, 2010 6:31 AM PST up reply actions  

dont know what to say other than im touched…in my bushy underbelly

I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it

LONG LIVE BOC!!!.......GO DUCKS!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 25, 2010 6:25 AM PST up reply actions  

there made it offical with a sig change

I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it

LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!

GO DUCKS!!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jan 25, 2010 6:27 AM PST up reply actions  

Classy!

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jan 25, 2010 7:42 AM PST up reply actions  

wow … definite congrats! … :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin

by ang6666 on Jan 22, 2010 1:59 PM PST up reply actions  

Good job! Bring some west coast bias with ya!

by Nut on Jan 22, 2010 4:39 PM PST reply actions  

not to mention Sharks bias … :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin

by ang6666 on Jan 22, 2010 6:24 PM PST up reply actions  

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