Devils: Hail to Magnificent Marty
On to the next record
Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 11:50 PMGood-bye Patrick Roy. Hello, Martin Brodeur.
Yup, just like that, the Devils goaltender has become larger than life and better than any goaltender in history. He wrote his name in the hockey history books on Tuesday night with a 3-2 win over Chicago and a record-breaking 552 victories.
Sharing the Glory Road was Patrik Elias whose assist catapulted him over John MacLean as the all-time Devils (702) point-getter.
They'll be talking about Magnificent Marty as long as hockey is discussed because of the manner in which he lifted himself over his onetime idol, Roy. People will recount how — after he went down with an injury in the Autumn— he was able to rebound so seamlessly late in the campaign and propel a club that never ceases to amaze.
With three Stanley Cups to his credit and at least three more years left on his contract, the French-Canadian ace next takes aim at Terry Sawchuk's shutout mark and, Heaven knows, how many more victories before he packs up his goalie pads for good.
No less impressive than his wins is the manner in which he keeps rolling along, utilizing a unique style of stand-up-hybrid puck-stopping in an era when nearly every other goalie employs the "butterfly" technique.
To win on Tuesday, Marty had to beat one of the best in Nik Khabibulin but he was equal to the task.
Travis Zajac and Jamie Langenbrunner staked him to an early 2-0 lead and Brian Gionta added a shorthanded goal in the third.
But Chicago fought back with a late third period rally that brought them to within one of a tie.
The Devils defense tightened up just in time and Brodeur executed one final save before the green light went on to signal a celebration the likes of which Prudential Center has never seen.
Mobbed by his teammates, hailed by his adoring fans, Brodeur left The Rock as one of the all-time heroes of any sport. And to think, we're going to be able to watch this man for at least three more years.
To that, The Maven can merely say, Amen!
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