Mr. Venditto was Carl L. Marcellino, a Republican whose district includes parts of the more conservative Suffolk County and who is in a battle with James Gaughran, a Democrat. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Senator Marcellino also expressed doubts about Mr. Venditto and Mr. Mangano’s ability to “effectively lead the county or town and represent the people in the manner they deserve with this cloud over their heads.”

Mr. Gaughran, the chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority, had already tried to make ethics a part of the race, with campaign mailers arriving this week that characterize Mr. Marcellino, who has deep ties to Oyster Bay, as part of a “corrupt political machine.”

Democrats are also optimistic about the Sixth District, where the Republican incumbent, Kemp Hannon, is facingemphasis to younger players that have come up through the organization. He drew comparisons to the 2003-04 team — his first as G.M. — and, in what sounded like an indirect request for patience, mentioned how they started the season 1-5-4 before turning things around and eventually reaching the Western Conference finals.

The event was similar to ones that other NHL teams have done for years and comparable to ones the Sharks have restricted to season-ticket holders in the past.

But the timing, said chief operating officer John Tortora, was not keyed to the fan dissatisfaction that started with the loss to the Kings in Game 7 of their first-round series.

Tortora noted that the event was on his to-do list as soon as he was elevated to his new position