Running With The Devils - Brodeur Wins 500th Game
| 17
|
Martin Brodeur became only the second goalie of all time to win 500 NHL games as the Devils defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 6-2 on Saturday night. Brodeur won his first game as an emergency call up from the St. Hyacinthe Lasers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 1992 against the Boston Bruins. After a year in the minors, the man known around the league as "Marty," took over the starting job during the 1993-1994 season in which he won the Calder Trophy for top Rookie and led the Devils to within one game of the Stanley Cup Finals. The experience would prove vital as Brodeur would backstop the Devils to the Stanley Cup the following year as well as in 2000 and 2003.
After being shut out against Long Island the Devils dominated the first period against the Flyers. Dainius Zubrus struck first knocking in a rebound of an Andy Greene shot. Two minutes later much maligned Karel Rachunek unleashed a harmless slapshot from the blueline which Martin Biron inexplicably missed. Meanwhile, as has been true throughout his career, Brodeur kept the Flyers at bay.
The second period was similar to the first. The Devils struck early as Patrick Elias finished a goal mouth scramble for his fifth of the year. The Flyers had a huge chance as Rachunek was sent off for four minutes for a blood drawing high stick. The Devils killed off the entire four minutes without giving up a single shot. The Flyers would eventually crack Brodeur as Mike Richards knocked in a rebound. However, after a flurry of activity in front of the Devils net, Jay Pandolfo blocked a Jason Smith shot and skated in on a 2 on 1 against Biron. With his passing lane shut down, Pandolfo threw a harmless wrist shot on net that beat Biron shortside.
Biron who has been otherwise excellent this season, was pulled for the second time in as many games as the Devils as Antero Niittymaki started the third period in goal for the Flyers. The move initially paid off as Scottie Upshal scored off a nifty Mike Richards pass only 27 seconds in. However, just as it looked like the Flyers were going to make it a game, Brian Gionta scored an amazing goal. As he neared the goal line, Gionta flipped the puck high into the air over Niittymaki and into the far side of the net. 30 seconds later the Devils would ice the victory with Patrick Elias' second of the night.
With the game already decided, Brodeur showed why he has won 3 Vezina awards for top goaltender and 4 Jennings Memorial Trophy Awards for having the lowest goals against average in the league as he absolutely robbed Daniel Briere of a sure goal. Marty kicked aside a point blank shot only to have the rebound end up on the opposite side of the net right on Briere's stick. In one of the best saves you will ever see, Brodeur reached across his body and snares the puck from midair on his backhand.
As the final horn sounded, Brodeur seemed relieved to finally have the pressure of the 500th off his shoulders. In a true sign of class, the Flyers organization announced the accomplishment and congratulated Brodeur on the Jumbotron. Not surprisingly, the Flyers fans still in attendance immediately booed. The win leaves Brodeur 51 wins behind the greatest of all time, Patrick Roy. With 6 seasons of forty plus wins, and another 5 of thirty plus wins, if Brodeur plays another 2-3 years, he should have a terrific chance to become the winningest goalie of all time. With the 500th win behind him, Brodeur can turn his sites to the only reason he plays, to win his fourth Stanley Cup.
