Hero Sharks fan kayaks in Tahoe to root against Golden Knights

The San Jose Sharks might not be playing at Lake Tahoe this weekend, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be represented.

While the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche were preparing to play on the golf course next to the lake, several fans did the appropriate social distancing play and showed up in the water in canoes and kayaks.

Among them was this brave Sharks fan, sporting a Patrick Marleau Black Armor jersey, holding a sign that says “Anyone but Vegas.”

Guy wearing a Sharks jersey has a sign that says “Anyone but Vegas” pic.twitter.com/URRahVRpMs

— Justin Emerson (@J15Emerson) February 20, 2021

The Sharks and Golden Knights have been rivals since the latter joined the league in 2017, despite the fact that they did not have a roster player taken from the Sharks in the expansion draft (defender David Schlemko was taken, and promptly traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a draft pick). It was cemented in the second round of playoffs that year, when Vegas beat San Jose in six games, on route to the Stanley Cup Final.

They met again the following season, this time in the first round, where San Jose took the series with a huge comeback win in Game 7 before eventually being eliminated in the Western Conference Final. Then there’s the whole saga between Ryan Reeves and Evander Kane that seems never-ending.

There’s never been much love between these two teams, and last season, the Golden Knights scooped up head coach Pete DeBoer after the Sharks relieved him of his duties, adding to the ties between the two teams.

Sharks fans are also upset that the team was never even considered to play in the event at Lake Tahoe this season, despite being the closest NHL team geographically.

Our comment section here at Fear the Fin has our own saying about the Golden Knights (y’all know what to do!), but when playoffs roll around, I’m sure we’ll appreciate this photo more.

Anyone but Vegas!