As the final seconds of the Devils' 3-1 win in Montreal ticked away, left wing Patrik Elias had the puck on his stick and knew Martin Brodeur would want it as a keepsake after tying Patrick Roy for the most wins in NHL history.
When Elias went to flip Brodeur the puck after the final siren, however, he almost flipped it too high and Brodeur had to reach up to catch it in his glove.
"It almost got over him, but he got it," Elias said.
As I mentioned earlier Elias said that he didn't mind that his record-tying night was overshadowed by Brodeur's. Brian Rolston had a similar reaction to his 300th NHL goal being forgotten.
"I said, 'What's Marty's deal again tonight?" Rolston joked afterward. "No, really it's definitely a milestone and when it happens it's exciting. Once your career is over, you look back at milestones and I'm obviously very excited to get the goal."
Rolston was pleased that it turned out to be the game-winner in Brodeur's historic win.
"To be a game-winning goal makes it special," Rolston said."I won't forget this one being in Montreal and doing it on Marty's night."
Devils coach Brent Sutter was understandably happy with the way his team played. The Devils outshot the Canadiens, 48-23, and, other than a few spurts in the second period, controlled the game throughout.
Still, Sutter thought Brodeur had to earn the win.
"He made some big saves," Sutter said. "We never gave up a lot and we never gave up a lot of scoring chances, but the ones that were there, Marty made some big saves for us. The goal he gave up was a deflection off a stick (of Dainius Zubrus). But it was a great team effort, obviously."
Sutter said he told Brodeur after the game that he was proud of him and admitted he got a chill when the game ended.
"Sure, it's exciting, he said. "You could see the excitment in the guys and obviously you could see the excitement in Marty. To tie it up here, it couldn't have happened in a better place. It's his hometown and he gets a standing ovation at the end of the game and a standing ovation when he was named the first star. It's unbelievable of how it's unfolded until now. Yet, that tells you something. It tells you something about Marty and it tells you something about the history of the game, too and how special it really is."
Brodeur's teammates also enjoyed the ovation he received.
"That was pretty amazing," said Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner, who tied his single-season career high with his 23rd goal tonight. "Zach (Parise) and I were skating off the ice and we said to each other, 'We got chills.' It was a great atmosphere and what great fans here to salute him like that. That made it really special."
After the game ended, the players lined up, forming a kind of aisle to skate through as he left the ice. They said that was unplanned.
"We just improvised the whole thing," center John Madden said. "It was a great feeling to be out there and I know Marty was sure happy and I saw his dad sitting down by the glass there and he had a big smile. It's a great accomplishment for Marty and he definitely deserves it."
***
Sutter got a chuckle after the game because initially only four reporters that went to talk to him after the game. Everyone else was trying to get to Brodeur, who actually did a press conference much later.
"I'm not very popular," he said laughing.
Where can I find the numbers for the types of wins that Marty has. Such as wins in regulation, wins in overtime, and wins in shootout.
Posted by: John | March 15, 2009 at 12:53 AM
John: I posted that info in the post above about Brodeur's father.
Posted by: TG | March 15, 2009 at 01:19 AM
anyone who says brodeur only has the record because of shootouts is an idiot. he missed out on at least 60 wins because of lockouts
Posted by: adkjdkj | March 15, 2009 at 01:21 AM
Thanks TG. You must have some special access to elias because I can't get into the site.
Posted by: John | March 15, 2009 at 01:39 AM
Classy move by the players,fans,media and most of all Marty. A special night for all of the hockey universe.
Posted by: njteech | March 15, 2009 at 08:06 AM
To those attending the game on Tuesday night we really need to show Marty and the entire league that we know how to celebrate history. It has to be the loudest night the "ROCK" has ever seen. Come PROUD and come LOUD !!! All night - ALL MARTY & ALL DEVILS !
PS - PLEASE LEAVE THE RAGS SUCK CHANT AT HOME FOR THIS SPECIAL NIGHT !
Posted by: devilstown | March 15, 2009 at 10:30 AM
"Elias, who has appeared in 397 winning efforts alongside Brodeur, the most of any player in NHL history."
As posted from newjerseydevils.com game recap.
The Devils are a TEAM of CLASSY players. Part of their recipe of success, and why some other teams just will never get there...
Can't wait 'til St Patty's Day. Patty will set the team scoring record and Marty will officially be ...Simply the Best...
Could anyone have written a better script??
The loss to the Islanders looks like a good thing!!
Posted by: Nieds27 | March 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM
For those interested in Elias Sports Bureau - see this article in USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2001-12-12/2001-12-12-clubhouse.htm
Elias also has a daily Blog on ESPN.com
MOre importantly - We need to be loud on Tuesday - we need more noise from the lower level (where I sit and it is hard to get them going)
Posted by: ausrules | March 15, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I am with you Devilstown, no need for that Tuesday night, or the "you suck" during the goal song. Let's show some class on this (hopefully) historic evening.
Posted by: ams920 | March 15, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Congrats to Marty, Patty and Rollie! Awesome players and even better people.
And I think Sutter might be more popular with the media and people in general if he had more than one facial expression. It's kind of creepy.
Posted by: Kellyn | March 15, 2009 at 03:57 PM
I hope the fans at the rock can be as loud as the ones in Montreal. Come on guys, lets show Marty how much we appreciate him!
Posted by: chessarmy | March 16, 2009 at 08:08 AM