Brodeur Breaks Boston

Black Friday in Boston saw the snap of the Bruins season-high four game winning streak. History was also made in the New Jersey Devils 2-1 win over Boston in a shootout. New Jersy goalie, Martin Brodeur surpassed Hall of Famer Patrick Roy for the most minutes played in breaking Boston’s streak. The 37 year old eclipsed the 60,235 minutes record in the opening of the third period. New Jersey outshot the Bruins 37-33, but the goaltending was the story of the game for both teams. Something was always going on during the contest. The Bruins matched New Jersey’s electricity from the second the puck dropped at TD Garden.
The Devils earned their 16th victory of the season behind two Zach Parise goals. Parise was the lone Devil to score in regulation when he forced the puck into the net in the second period. Matt Halischuk was credited with his first assist of the year on the play. Parise extended his point streak to a career high nine games with the shot past Tuuka Rask. The Boston netminder allowed only Parise’s goal during regulation and was otherwise brilliant. Brodeur was a bit more fantastic in net and saved the game in the shootout. Blake Wheeler scored for Boston in regulation and in the shootout. Wheeler fired the tying shot 12 seconds into the third period to end Brodeur’s record shutout bid. The puck caromed off the glass, allowing Byron Bitz to set up Wheeler’s shot off Brodeur’s block. The Devils goalie needs one more shutout to tie Terry Sawchuk’s NHL record with 103.
Boston forced the Devils to play heads-up hockey and skate deep in their own zone throughout the game. New Jersey winger, David Clarkson took a wicked shot off his ankle from Zdeno Chara 2:30 in the opening period. Clarkson left the game and did not return for the already deterred by injuries Devils. Brodeur helped keep it a tie game instead of putting a damper on the Devils night. He made a quick stop on Marc Savard’s wrister from the slot in the closing seconds of regulation. Andy Greene has been piloting the Devils defense with the Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya on the sidelines. The Devils put up zeros on three power play opportunities. The Bruins did likewise. But, Boston brought a balanced attack and managed to send the game into overtime. The Devils were steady in the extra session to push the game into the deciding shootout. Patrice Bergeron failed on a forehand stuff for Boston. Patrik Elias couldn’t connect off Rask to give the Devils a point. After Wheeler whacked the puck past Brodeur in the second round, Parise notched his second goal. Parise answered Boston’s temporary lead with a deke just beyond Rask’s reach. David Krejci’s shootout shot was cut down with a Brodeur pad stop. Jamie Langenbrunner had a chance to seal the deal for the Devils. The 34 year old right winger skated in and jammed the game winner past Rask in the third round for the 2-1 dramatic Devils defeat. The team is now 4-1 in shootouts this season. New Jersey last conquered the Bruins at TD Garden on October 29th. Head coach, Jacques Lemaire, sent Yann Davis to the net in that win. Lemaire went with Brodeur last night, and it paid off for New Jersey. For Boston, it was a continuation of scoring woes. The Bruins were not without scoring opportunities against the Devils last night. In four of their last six games the Bruins have mustered one goal during regulation. Despite the disengaged offense, goalies Rask and Tim Thomas have kept Boston a winning hockey team.
I just have to continue my Parise praise. The former first round draft pick is always amazing me. The kid can play hockey. He is one of the most relentless and determined players in the NHL. Parise’s wrist shot Friday night was nothing short of spectacular. He just kept grinding his way to the puck until he had a chance to drive the loose object into the goal. Parise is the Devils’ most persistent and consistent scorer. New Jersey can count on Parise to get his minutes and his goals.

Parting Points: Congrats to WVU on taking this year’s Backyard Brawl.
Song of the day- “Sometime Around Midnight” by Airborne Toxic Event