April 29, 2009, Carolina Hurricanes-New Jersey Devils Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 7 game story for Metro NY Newspaper
Wiped out
Hurricanes score 2 late goals to oust Devils
NHL.
The Devils had been 1:20 away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2007. They were 1:20 away from a date with Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. And they had 1:20 to play with the all-time career leader in wins protecting their net.
A body blow and a knockout shot 80 seconds later, the lasting image of the 2008-09 New Jersey Devils season was Zach Parise, bent over at his stall, heartbreak etched on his bloodied face.
A season that started with Stanley Cup hopes ended with questions about what might have been last night at the Prudential Center, and what the future holds for the professional sports organization that is the standard bearer in the Metro area.
The Devils' 4-3 Game 7 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes was as stunning as it was sudden. In a 49-second span, Martin Brodeur allowed the game-tying and series-winning goals. Brodeur stopped 27-of-31 shots last night and fell to 5-4 in Game 7's
“Marty played exceptional,” a clearly demoralized Brent Sutter said after the game.
Carolina tied the game at 18:40 when Jussi Jokinen one-timed a Joni Pitkanen pass past Martin Brodeur. Before the PA could finish announcing Jokinen’s game-tying goal, Eric Staal came down the wing and whipped a wrist from the boards that beat Brodeur stick side. Staal’s series-winner came from the same exact spot as Tuomo Ruutu’s game opening goal 62 seconds into the first. Ray Whitney scored Carolina’s other goal. The Devils’ goal scorers were Jamie Langenbrunner, Jay Pandolfo and Brian Rolston.
“The last three minutes, it was our execution. Not even the last three minutes. It was the last 1:20,” Sutter said. “They were able to tie the game. There were some (bad) decisions made in the neutral zone. On the last goal, they were able to come through the neutral zone with speed, which is something we were able to contain all night.”
Who the Devils weren’t able to contain was Eric Staal—at least in Games 6 and 7. After limiting Carolina’s star to two goals in the first five games, Staal exploded for three goals, two assists and five points in the last two games. In Game 6, Staal scored twice and assisted on a Ray Whitney goal. In The Rock last night, Staal assisted on Whitney’s goal—which tied the game at two early in the second period—along with his clinching goal.
“Full marks to Carolina,” Sutter said.
The Hurricanes will play top-seeded Boston starting Friday night. The Bruins won all four regular season matchups by an aggregate 18-6. However, all four games were played prior to the trade deadline. Erik Cole, who the Bruins were rumored to be heavily interested in acquiring, may play a key role in the series. More than anything, the Hurricanes are glad to have finished with the Devils.
“Yeah, we’re real excited we’re going to Boston. I got the job December 4, and this is the 11th time we’ve played this team (the Devils) in the past four months. I’m really hoping we don’t schedule an exhibition here,” Paul Maurice said. “We hope we’re a different team than the first two times we played them. They were very good games. The last two times they won. They’ve got the same system with maybe more speed, a little more counter-attack and a little more puck control.”
Control is one thing the Devils won’t have as changes will be made this summer. The league’s third oldest team on average has nine unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents, including Travis Zajac who is arbitration eligible. With room under the cap, the Devils could be in the market for another scorer (Calgary sniper Mike Cammalleri) or a physical defenseman (Long Island native Mike Komisarek).
Three things we saw last night:
[1] Devils Staaled. The Devils seemed destined for the second round, carrying a 3-2 lead late in the third period. The game was tied with less than two minutes remaining. Then it
wasn't. Jussi Jokinen hit snap shot to tie it with 80 seconds left. Then Eric Staal clinched the game with a goal with 32 seconds left. Limited in the first five games, Staal was dominant in Games 6 and 7 with five points.
[2] Joked again. Jussi Jokinen is pretty good at scoring with almost no time remaining. In Game 4, his tally with two-tenths remaining tied the series. Last night, his third goal of the series tied the game with 1:20 remaining in the third. Martin Brodeur seemed like he was going to do just enough to carry the Devils to the second round, but it
wasn’t to be. Brodeur stopped 27 shots.
[3] The Warden. After giving up Brian Rolston’s goal with 8:47 remaining in the second to put the Devils ahead 3-2, Cam Ward stopped a barrage of shots to keep the Canes in the game. Ward remains undefeated in Game 7’s (3-0), while Brodeur fell to 5-4. Jamie Langenbrunner and Jay Pandolfo had the other goals for the Devils, which came back-to-back in the first to give them a 2-1 lead at intermission.
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 9:22 AM
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