I'm pretty sure the band was getting impatient. The first two members arrived near the end of the first period of a 0-0 game between the Sharks and Blues. We sat near the front door of Britannia Arms, located a few blocks away from the HP Pavilion, which was awash in a sea of black and teal.

I'd walked by this sports bar many times, but had never gone inside. Honestly, I haven't been in many sports bars, so I was impressed by the three big screen televisions and other wall-mounted units scattered throughout the pub slash restaurant. One could watch the Giants struggle against the Padres on one set, turn a head to witness the keyboard player setting up on the stage and then look up to see San Jose and St. Louis still scoreless after two periods.

I don't own a lot of sports-related attire. Two baseball caps and a sun visor make up my entire collection. It can be quite expensive to display team loyalty, especially with authentic gear. Last night, I made a deal with myself. When San Francisco wins the World Series, I'll buy a jersey. To be fair, I'll purchase a sweater if San Jose takes the Stanley Cup. I should probably bulk up so either one will hang more fashionably on my frame.

That paragraph was all to say I wasn't showing any team spirit. Well, except for the Giants cap that seems to permanently adorn my head once I'm out of the office. The drummer finally arrived during the third period. The score was still tied at zero. He came in just after Barry Bonds flew out to deep center. The ball was a foot shy of becoming home run #660.

As the overtime period began, the place started to fill up. The band was ready and eager to play. About ten minutes into the extra period, San Jose scored first and won the game. Cheers erupted from all corners of the bar. The band broke out "Rock and Roll, Part II" (the "Hey!" song, as one person put it) to celebrate the victory and start their set. It was one suspenseful and exciting game. Game 2 is tomorrow afternoon. Go Sharks!