When you’re watching a Game 7, you’re heart is automatically going to be beating a little harder- a little faster. It’s a proven fact. If there was NHLrocksWebMD.com, then this would be on the front page. But when one team is playing for its playoff life? That’s when the greatest game in the world goes up to that special level that can’t adequately be described with mere words. For NHL fans all over North America, the 1st round couldn’t have ended any better (unless you live in the greater New York area). Two fantastic finishes (one of which will be talked about for years) gave us a reminder of how great sports can be. If this is a taste of the rest of the playoffs, I might need to find the phone number of a good cardiologist.
Under any other circumstances and on any other night, Sergei Fedorov’s goal to break a 1-1 tie with just under 5 minutes would have been the hockey highlight of the night. Streaking down the right wing, stopping on a dime, and blowing a perfectly placed shot by one of the best goaltenders in the world. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought he was wearing a Red Wings jersey again. Take a look for yourself!
As great as Fedorov’s goal was in Washington, it will probably be the 3rd most memorable goal of the night. For fans that were trying to watch both games, the 3rd period was just getting started in Jersey as the traditional handshake was winding down in DC. For 18 and a half minutes, the Hurricanes pushed forward to get the equalizer in a 3-2 game. Each time they pressed forward, the New Jersey defense and Martin Brodeur had an answer. Have you heard the quote, “throwing everything at them but the kitchen sink?” Well, forget that–the Canes were even throwing the Price Pfister at the Devils. For 18:39, it was all for not. Then the heroics began…
Tim Gleason with one of the best 2nd assists in Canes history. Joni Pitkanen makes up for an awful 2nd period with a GREAT cross ice/cross seam pass. Jussi Jokinen puts a puck behind Brodeur for the 2nd time in the series. Jokinen’s goal comes with 1:21 left, so it’s onto one of those elusive Game 7 overtimes, right? Not exactly. Eric Staal didn’t want to wait that long. Again, words don’t do it justice.
If this game was on ABC, ESPN would already have this game on a continuous loop on ESPN Classic! No matter… if this is a sign of things to come, we’re in for a GREAT 2nd round!
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DAMN! I LOVE TUESDAY NIGHT IN NEW JERSEY!!!! MARTY BRODEUR CHOKED!!!!! Not on just the last goal, but the FIRST GOAL HE GAVE UP! You mean to tell me that you are set at the top of the crease, have the angle cut down, ready to react to the shot, and you motion as if the shot is going 5-hole?? Marty, the shot is going 4-hole, moron! Then the same goal to beat you. FIGURES. An old goalie once told my former rink rat self that a in a tight game with under two minutes left, good goalie owns those two minutes – never lets the puck in. Marty, Marty, Marty – remember Stephan’s wrap-arounder in 94′?