Rd 2, Gm 4, New Jersey 3 @ San Jose 1
Devils Close Out Sharks On The Road, Gain Finals
The New Jersey Devils closed out the series with the San Jose Sharks with an impressive 3-1 road victory. The Devils fan club celebrated as both teams offered the traditional handshake. Fans unable to make the trip west were treated to a surprise when the game was being shown on the jumbotron at Continental Airlines Arena, however due to technical difficulties, they had to listen to the San Jose announcers.
The home crowd worked themselves into a frenzy, trying to lift the spirits of their team as their backs were against the wall. The Sharks abandoned the traditional teal jerseys in favor of an all black uniform in hopes that it would distract the Devils from being able to see the black puck.
In complete opposite of how the series has gone, Shark killer Brian Rafalski started things off quickly as he gained the blueline and took a hard slapshot that found the twine as it appeared Toskala was screened. San Jose could not get anything going in the first period as the Devils altered their gameplan and cut down on the shots on goal Martin Brodeur would have to face.
The second period was tightly contested as the Devils could not extend their lead and the Sharks could not net the equalizer until late in the period when things openned up. Jamie Langenbrunner received a pass along the left boards and started to skate towards the slot when he snapped a wrister from the low faceoff circle that painted the far top shelf for the most dangerous lead in hockey, 2-0. Minutes later defensive stallworth and top penalty killer John Madden took an undisciplined hooking penalty that woke the home fans. Steve Bernier was set up for a one timer by Brown and Michalek for a power play goal that electrified the Shark Tank and blew the roof off. The Devils applied a bandaid and were able to stop the bleeding.
In the third, New Jersey had numerous one timers that were grabbed by Toskala to keep his team in the game. As time was winding down, team goon Colin White took a horrible elbowing penalty for no reason with just over 5 minutes to play.
With a full penalty killing squad, the Devils were able to survive one wave of attackers and dump the puck. While bringing the puck up ice, San Jose turned it over and little Brian Gionta had one defender in his way at the high slot. The defender laid an intimidating hit that knocked both players slightly off balance, however Gionta regained his footing and took a quick snapshot for a shorthanded goal to regain a two goal lead. San Jose would try to recreate its Game 2 magic by scoring two quick goals, but the Devils were on lockdown.
The finals are set and will pit the #1 seeded and President's Trophy earning New Jersey Devils against the #2 seeded Dallas Stars in a rematch of the 2000 finals. Dallas got the better of play during the season, winning both matches while Brodeur played with a flu. Whom will come out on top? This best of seven series is set up to be a battle for the ages.
Good series Angry Rasputin. With all of the rubber Brodeur had to face, you deserved it as much as me.
1 2 3 Total
Devils 1 1 1 3
Sharks 0 1 0 1
Shots On Goal:
SJ:16, NJ:17
Hits:
SJ: 20, NJ: 51
Scoring
1st Period
NJ, Brian Rafalski, 4:29
2nd Period
NJ, Jamie Langenbrunner (Rafalski, Brylin), 14:28
SJ, Steve Bernier (Brown, Michalek), 16:34 PP
3rd Period
NJ, Brian Gionta, (Langenbrunner, Martin), 15:34 SH
3 Stars
1. NJ, Jamie Langenbrunner, 1 G, 1 A
2. NJ, Brian Rafalski, 1 G, 1 A
3. NJ, Brian Gionta, 1 G, 0 A
The New Jersey Devils closed out the series with the San Jose Sharks with an impressive 3-1 road victory. The Devils fan club celebrated as both teams offered the traditional handshake. Fans unable to make the trip west were treated to a surprise when the game was being shown on the jumbotron at Continental Airlines Arena, however due to technical difficulties, they had to listen to the San Jose announcers.
The home crowd worked themselves into a frenzy, trying to lift the spirits of their team as their backs were against the wall. The Sharks abandoned the traditional teal jerseys in favor of an all black uniform in hopes that it would distract the Devils from being able to see the black puck.
In complete opposite of how the series has gone, Shark killer Brian Rafalski started things off quickly as he gained the blueline and took a hard slapshot that found the twine as it appeared Toskala was screened. San Jose could not get anything going in the first period as the Devils altered their gameplan and cut down on the shots on goal Martin Brodeur would have to face.
The second period was tightly contested as the Devils could not extend their lead and the Sharks could not net the equalizer until late in the period when things openned up. Jamie Langenbrunner received a pass along the left boards and started to skate towards the slot when he snapped a wrister from the low faceoff circle that painted the far top shelf for the most dangerous lead in hockey, 2-0. Minutes later defensive stallworth and top penalty killer John Madden took an undisciplined hooking penalty that woke the home fans. Steve Bernier was set up for a one timer by Brown and Michalek for a power play goal that electrified the Shark Tank and blew the roof off. The Devils applied a bandaid and were able to stop the bleeding.
In the third, New Jersey had numerous one timers that were grabbed by Toskala to keep his team in the game. As time was winding down, team goon Colin White took a horrible elbowing penalty for no reason with just over 5 minutes to play.
With a full penalty killing squad, the Devils were able to survive one wave of attackers and dump the puck. While bringing the puck up ice, San Jose turned it over and little Brian Gionta had one defender in his way at the high slot. The defender laid an intimidating hit that knocked both players slightly off balance, however Gionta regained his footing and took a quick snapshot for a shorthanded goal to regain a two goal lead. San Jose would try to recreate its Game 2 magic by scoring two quick goals, but the Devils were on lockdown. 
The finals are set and will pit the #1 seeded and President's Trophy earning New Jersey Devils against the #2 seeded Dallas Stars in a rematch of the 2000 finals. Dallas got the better of play during the season, winning both matches while Brodeur played with a flu. Whom will come out on top? This best of seven series is set up to be a battle for the ages.Good series Angry Rasputin. With all of the rubber Brodeur had to face, you deserved it as much as me.
1 2 3 Total
Devils 1 1 1 3
Sharks 0 1 0 1
Shots On Goal:
SJ:16, NJ:17
Hits:
SJ: 20, NJ: 51
Scoring
1st Period
NJ, Brian Rafalski, 4:29
2nd Period
NJ, Jamie Langenbrunner (Rafalski, Brylin), 14:28
SJ, Steve Bernier (Brown, Michalek), 16:34 PP
3rd Period
NJ, Brian Gionta, (Langenbrunner, Martin), 15:34 SH
3 Stars
1. NJ, Jamie Langenbrunner, 1 G, 1 A
2. NJ, Brian Rafalski, 1 G, 1 A
3. NJ, Brian Gionta, 1 G, 0 A
posted by OldTimeHockey at 8:36 AM
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