Game 5: Chicago 2 @ New Jersey 3, 2 OT

Devils Avoid Upset, Move On To Second Round

The New Jersey Devils completed the improbable comeback on Tuesday night by continuing their solid play and winning 3-2 in a double overtime nailbiter. The GUGHL could not have scripted a better ending to the most exciting First Round series. However due to cable malfunctions, the national TV broadcast was blacked out and fans were glued to their sports ticker trying to get any bit of information on the outcome.

After a stunning rendition of the National Anthem and God Bless America by Bruce Springsteen, the game was about to begin. Fans could immediately sense the tension in the air as neither team wanted to give an inch. Every loose puck had to be earned this day as only one team could move on and one team was going home to dream about what could have been. Midway through the first period, Patrick Sharp was able to split two defenders and with some quick stickwork score to give the road team a 1-0 lead. Nikolai Khabilulin was spectacular at the other end, turning back shot after shot. New Jersey thought they would equalize when Scott Gomez went in on a partial breakaway, only to be snubbed by the Bulin Wall at the last possible second.

In the second period, it was more of the same with play going back and forth. Midway through the period, goal scorer Patrick Sharp went from hero to goat with an elbowing penalty. The Devils powerplay went to work and capitalized. Zach Parise won a faceoff in the offensive zone back to Paul Martin. Martin faked a shot to force the defender to dive. Calmly Martin skated around the downed defenseman and put a low slapshot on net that sqeezed through the goaltender's leg pad and the ice for a 1-1 tie. End to end action would continue, but neither netminder would budge as we move on to the second intermission knotted at 1.

Early in the third period, Aucoin would be sent to the box for tripping, however Chicago would manage a shorthanded goal. With an offensive zone faceoff, the puck was won to the point for a slapshot that Brodeur stopped, but could not field cleanly. As the puck trickled wide of the net and Brodeur trying to grab it for a faceoff, Patrick Sharp rushed in and sent a blind pass out front for an empty net goal by Rene Borque on a bang bang play. Still on the powerplay, The Devils grabbed their sticks a little harder and went to work. Fans thought the Chicago defense would clamp down with a trap to end the game, however Scott Gomez took a shot that was blocked by a defenseman in front of the goal. Disoriented and being rushed by the red shirts, Seabrook threw the puck on net that surprised the netminder, and tied the game at 2-2 (credited to Gomez as a powerplay goal). Clearly in a next goal wins situation, both teams were frantically trying to get that goal without sacrificing defense. Alas, the horn would sound and we're going to overtime.

Early in the overtime, Chicago decided it was time to let it all out on the line. Havlat found a seam and skated in on a partial break. With a defender draped all over him, his shot rang off the post. Later, the Devils would have their own chance to win when a pass from the corner got deflected to a wide open Scott Gomez at the top of the crease. Khabibulin made his move to poke check, however Gomez was able to stickhandle and avoid the poke. His shot for the upper right corner with the goalie down was snubbed by a catching glove at the last possible second. Fantastic goaltending at both ends of the ice in the extra session pushed us to a second overtime.

With fans worked up into a frenzy to keep their minds off their nerves, the house was rocking. Neither team could muster a shot on goal early as both teams clogged their blue line. With 5:10 elapsed in the second overtime session, Jamie Langenbrunner was able to shake a body check and skate into the corner. Appearing that he may skate out in front, he drew two defenders and held the goaltender at the near post while throwing a pass out in front to a streaking Sergei Brylin. Untouched, Brylin unleashed a one timer that connected with the underside of the crossbar and went in. Pandemonium errupted inside of Continental Airlines Arena. As fans were hugging and giving high fives, the traditional handshake procession commenced. These warriors battled for five games and earned each other's respect. Special teams would be the difference as two power plays and one short handed goal would be scored.

Fans fortunate enough to get a ticket to the game witnessed an instant classic. Although the picture is grainy, there are reports that the winning goal was captured on a cell phone and was immediately posted on You Tube.

Excellent series eeedowls!!! Definitely one of the best matches I have been a part of. You deserved to win that Game 5 as much as I did. You'll be a force in Season 2 I am sure.



1 2 3 OT 2OT Total
Blackhawks 1 0 1 0 0 2
Devils 0 1 1 0 1 3

Shots On Goal:
CHI:29, NJ:29

Scoring

1st Period
CHI, Patrick Sharp (Cullimore, Aucoin)

2nd Period
NJ, Paul Martin (Parise), 9:10 (PP)

3rd Period
CHI, Rene Borque (Sharp), (SH)
NJ, Scott Gomez, 8:05 (PP)

Overtime
No Scoring

Second Overtime
NJ, Sergei Brylin (Langenbrunner), 5:10

3 Stars
1. NJ, Sergei Brylin, 1 G, 0 A
2. NJ, Jamie Langenbrunner, 0 G, 1 A
3. NJ. Martin Brodeur, 27 saves