Reflecting on a historic night

I just returned home from Montreal after a long, memorable night at Bell Centre.

In case you hadn't figured it out by now, the Devils are not practicing today. They will get back to work at 10:30 a.m. Monday to prepare for Tuesday night's game against Chicago at Prudential Center and Martin Brodeur's first shot at breaking his tie with Patrick Roy at the top of the NHL's all-time wins list.

I tried to give you all the reactions to Brodeur tying Roy's record after Saturday's game. Now, I thought I'd pass along my own

I can't say I was completely surprised by standing ovation Brodeur received from the Canadiens' fans after the game, but I wasn't sure what they would do. Only minutes before they were booing and chanting "Carbo! Carbo!" for fired coach Guy Carbonneau.

The great thing about the ovation was that it was completely spontaneous. It reminded me a little of being in Ottawa for Wayne Gretzky's final NHL game in Canada in 1999. At the time, Gretzky hadn't officially announced that he was going to retire, but everyone suspected that it was his last trip to Canada, so there was a great atmosphere the entire game.

I don't even remember who won that game, but I remember well the long ovation Gretzky received at the end of the game. It continued long after Gretzky left the ice and  he graciously came back out to take another bow.

It's a moment from this job that I will never forget. Saturday's game also falls into that category.

The reaction of the fans and Brodeur's teammates, who formed a mini receiving line for Brodeur as he left the ice, were not pre-planned, but were perfect. Often at the end of a game, I'll rush out of the press box as soon as the final buzzer sounds to get down to the locker room as quickly as possible and some other reporters did that Saturday. I made sure to stick around to take in the whole scene and am glad I did.

I have no idea how things will go Tuesday night at Prudential Center if Brodeur breaks Roy's record that night. It would be disappointing if that game is not sold out.

Commissioner Gary Bettman plans to attend and follow Brodeur wherever he goes if he doesn't break the record Tuesday (I have a feeling Kevin Weekes will start in Carolina on Wednesday regardless of what happens Tuesday).

Brodeur's father, Denis, who had a great seat near the glass with his camera on Saturday, also said he'd travel to see his son break the record, wherever and whenever that takes place. Brodeur's children will also be able to attend Tuesday after missing Saturday's game.

Still, Brodeur tying Roy's record Saturday night in his hometown at Montreal could not have worked out better. Having him break the record at home would put the cherry on top.

It would be difficult to match the atmosphere of Saturday, though. There is no better city in the NHL to see a game than Montreal. Saturday proved to be another example of that.

***

I was just watching between periods on NBC and Mike Milbury referrred to Brodeur as No. 35. Maybe he was thinking of Scott Clemmensen.

***

In case you were wondering, the telecast of Tuesday's game will remain on MSG Plus locally. According to the Devils, there is no plan for Versus to pick up the game.

Comments

[Kevin B.]

Milburry's an asshole... CASE AND POINT!

[John B]

After trading away Roberto Luongo and handing out a 15-year-contract to a goalie who can't stay off the trainer's table, I think Milbury has lost the right to analyze the goaltending position.

[Dan]

TG, Glad you were in Ottawa for Gretzky's final game. That was an amazing moment. The game was stopped for several minutes in the third as Gretzky received a standing ovation. He was also named first, second, and third star. I know Gretzky takes a ton of heat from Devils' fans for one comment when he was in his early 20s but he truly is a class act.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQfs2jDsqr8&feature=related

He announced he was going to retire, I believe a day or two before his final game. He never asked for a farewell tour all season. He could have gotten a standing ovation for minutes everywhere he went, but no one knew he was going to retire.

As for last night. Glad you took it all in TG. The setting might never be topped, but I think Devils fans will bring it Tuesday.

[Jeff]

The one person I truly kept thinking of watching the game was Doc I would have loved to hear him call the game and I know he would have loved calling it. Well let's all hope he gets to call the record breaking game Tuesday night.

[Maximus]

Jeff, I was thinking the same thing about Doc. Steve did a good job last night, though; better than he sometimes does. Unfortuatenly, I won't be able to hear Doc calling the game on Tuesday/Friday, as I'll be at the game!!

[JoeyB]

Don't worry TG us Devil's fans can show are appreciation with the best of them! I agree Doc calling the game would be the iceing on the cake when Marty breaks the record.

[njteech]

Saw $250 seats, little rich for me. Guess I'll sit back listen to Doc the game, eat some corned beef and read the latest here...thanks TG

[brian s]

yeah why would the nhl want the record breaking game like that on their parent national tv carrier. lets just keep this occasion under wraps so that no one can see hockey history getting made...hopefully. it does stink that the folks selling their tickets charge so much. it definitely keeps seats empty. i can see trying to make a few bucks, but some are just out to make the most they can. i hope the place is filled and that the devils get this over with so they can focus on something marty and the team wants more than anything else, a nice big cup to drink champagne out of in june!!!

[Kellyn]

Gary Bettman will be following Brodeur and the Devils around until he breaks Roy's record? If that isn't incentive enough to get it done and get it done quickly I don't know what is.

[Jeff]

Kellyn LMAO at the Bettman comment!

Yeah it was really nothing against Cangy he did a good job it was just a game deserving of Doc and his one of a kind calls.

[Dave]

Ever notice that Bettman looks like the Count?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUeN6LZNPVQ

[Matt]

I hope the Rock is jam packed with people and that they all make the Montreal fans sound quiet. I think that Marty deserves it as well as the rest of the team. How great would it be if Patty and Marty broke their respective records the same game and the fans recognize it with a great deal of noise? Unfortunately, I couldn't get tickets!

[arthur agostini]

People looking for tix... Keep trying ticketmaster every once in a while. I like the 38 dollar section and it was sold out several days ago. Then, they must have released more tickets because I got 3 right on the red line for 38 each. You might get lucky too. Ebay is worth taking a look at also. I just want the real Devils fans to be there to see this (hopefully) historic moment. Good luck fellas!

[Mike M]

Milburry = dope

[Mike Milbury]

I am an idiot.

[jerseytom]

And this year we will add 3 goals to average! One, two, three! Three goals! Ah Ah Ah!

-Count Bettman

[Prokat]

TG
Thanks for the edit and eliminating my previous post.
I'm done.

[Murph]

haha i am an idiot written by mike milbury.. some people really make me laugh.. ill be at the games the rest of the way i hope marty breaks it at home and it would be great if its tuesday!!

[TG]

Prokat: I never eliminated your previous post. At least not that I'm aware of.

I have never eliminated any post on this site.

I'm not allowed.

If anyone ever thinks their post was eliminated, please let me know because I don't ever eliminate posts. I can do it if there is profanity, but I also have to clear it with The Record's legal department before I do.

Believe it or not, there are times when try to put up a comment and it doesn't make it either. I'm not sure why. I guess it has something to do with spam controls, but I am not involved in that process in any way.

[MikeK]

The guy on NBC was ripping into Laraque too, for no other reason than he's there to fight. Of course he's there to fight, he's an enforcer, that's what they do. Hundreds of men have done his job in the past, and many more will continue to do so, until contact is not allowed in hockey.

[Salvatore from Garfield]

Prokat- If you followed the blog a little more closely, you'd already know that TG cannot delete/edit posts. He's mentioned that several times before. You can put away your "Jump to conclusion" mat and the "I'm done" comment now.

[DevilfanFLA]

why the heck would Versus pick up the game????

the Rangers and/or Detroit must be playing.

stupid

[Pearl Jammed]

A few points....
AWEFUL that Tuesdays game will not be national broadcast game... simply terrible, as this is a record for the ages shame on Versus and the NHL for not INSISTING it be on a national carrier.

Tuesday will be my first game back with my tix after the birth of my son, so i will be EXTRA loud for all the games i missed come say hi! Section 216 row 2 seats 4&5.

Milbury, i believe did not give DiPietro the 15 year contract, that was Garth Snow, but Milbury did do some really stupid moves without a doubt