San Jose writer trolls Kings fans, displays extensive hockey insight

When he's not trolling Los Angeles Kings fans, Mark Purdy is a columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, although yesterday's piece on Staples Center showed he can have the best of both worlds. In summary: Purdy believe Staples Center has no atmosphere, no character and poses no threat to a visiting team as a home ice advantage to the Kings. "HP Pavilion can be a Metallica concert when the puck drops, Staples is more of a Kenny G experience," he wrote. Does that make Jeff Friesen their Dave Mustaine? From Purdy: That triple tier of hey-look-at-us-and-our-Cristal-champagne-glasses was just perfect for a city of showoff glitterati. But by necessity, the design led to all upper-deck cheaper seats (and louder fans) being pushed higher into the rafters. This might explain why, over the years, the Sharks have found Staples to be so friendly. Their record in the building is 18-10, plus three ties (under the old point system) and two shootout losses. Might also have somethi...