Win #552: My Favorite Moment of the 2008-09 New Jersey Devils Season

by John Fischer on Jul 25, 2009 4:08 PM EDT in Devils Issues, Views & Analysis

While the playoffs were memorable in its own painful, unfortunate way; I want to take the time this weekend to point out my favorite memory from the New Jersey Devils' 2008-09 season. I invite you to offer your favorite moments from this past season. Maybe it was a massive turn-around win over a hated rival. Maybe it was an excellent goal or a fantastic save. Maybe it was a game where you got to jeer an opponent in a miserable loss to the Devils. Maybe it was something completely different.

But for me, nothing tops March 17, 2009. A 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Martin Brodeur's 552nd career win, becoming the NHL all-time leader in wins.

After the record-tying win in Montreal, there was definite interest buzzing for the St. Patrick's Day's game against Chicago. Would Brodeur break the mark at the Rock? Sure enough, he did with a 3-2 win over Chicago. I did my recap of the game, as usual, after that night. But even looking back on it, I don't think I fully conveyed what the experience was like at that game. When announcers or fans claim a stadium's atmosphere to be electric, it's usually a bit of an exaggeration. Not that night in Newark, New Jersey. Literally every save Brodeur made was greeted with adoration from the crowd. The chant of the day was "MAR-TY! MAR-TY! MAR-TY" from the unofficial supporter's group, the Crazies, up in Section 233 right on down to the lower bowl where the formerly silent were getting involved. Of course, I joined in and even as I saw Brodeur do what he does best literally thousands of times in the past, you can feel it in your heart that this was special. This went all game (save for a short "PAT-TY!" tribute when Elias became the all-time franchise scoring leader that night, or as you may say, icing on the cake), after the game when Brodeur cut his net, and even during his attempted address to the fans on the live P.A. system. Nothing but love for a goaltender who has earned it from his fans.

The love the Devils faithful have for Brodeur - an elite goaltender who has spent his entire career in New Jersey, loves the franchise to the point of having deferred money from his contracts back to the team, and has been a cornerstone in the Devils success from 1993 to present day - was rewarded with an undeniable accomplishment. Haters and critics in the past have tried to argue that Brodeur is overrated, that he's not as good as people claim, that he's only as good as the defense he has in front of him, and so on - all trying to make the point that he's not a legendary goaltender. But after March 17, 2009; such arguments cannot be made. While the case certainly could have been made earlier, on the evening of March 17, 2009, Martin Brodeur definitively became one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history. And that is what I will remember best of all from the 2008-09 season.

Again, you may have a different favorite moment from the Devils' 2008-09 season. It can be a game, a goal, a highlight, a literal moment, etc.; it can be a show of greatness, perhaps there was some personal meaning attached, etc. Regardless, I want to know it is, so please share them in the comments throughout this weekend.

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552

552 was a magical evening. My 3 sons (all avid Devils fans) and I were right next to the Devils bench (sec9 row3) and we got the puck that was shot out of play in the third period. I hope to get it signed when my son attends Marty’s goalie camp in August. I plan to frame it with the tickets from that night. They can fight over it someday. As an added suprise, Chicago’s asst. coach Mike Haviland got us under the arena right after the game and all the Chicago players signed their programs. (I played hockey in NJ with Mike and his older brother George back in the 70’s-80’s.). All the Chicago players were gentlemen signing and taking photos. I told my boys they got to witness something special that night and to always cherish the momment. (Plus thier friends sent them text messages that they were seen on TV during Marty’s on ice interview. )It is a night I will always remember with my boys. Other than a Cup, or retirement night, 3/17 will always be St. Marty’s day !!!!

by bob247 on Jul 25, 2009 6:04 PM EDT reply actions

No moment can compare to the one you mention

The record breaking game was not only the greateset of the season, it is one of the Devils all time great moments. Although there were other " moments", nothing compares to the record being broken. Elias had a great moment, but its a team record not an alltime NHL record. Parise’ s play this year certainly solidified his status as a premier player in the league, and Clemmensen’s play surely desrves recognition, but the only other moment that comes close is the game where Marty tied the record. The entire hockey watching world was polarized by both of those games, and I can’t recall a previous time where the devils caused a break in moment on ESPN.

This topic makes me recall many great moments over the years, and the most memorable moment of them all is still our cup clinching game against the Red Wings in our house. Our Third cup win at home would have to be second, and although the Arnott goal is sill playing in my head, that game was away and television just can’t compare to those moments in person, so our 2nd cup although great does not resonate the same.

Some other great moments? Well the Broduer goal against the Canadians is an all time great moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwOT9VVzzVA

Stevens and Danos retirements were great, but although we celebrated them, it was a bit melancholy for me as it signaled the end of thier playing careers. I still feel that Scott Stevens could lace them up this season and be one of the best defensmen in the league.

The 334 game was another great moment, not for the game or player accomplishments, but more because there were 334 insane people like myself that actually came out that night. The memorable thing about it was there were so few people there that if you said something to the players they could actually hear you, and we got some really angry stares from the Flames players on the ice that night.

I could go on and on, but for some reason another moment that keeps popping into my head is the series against the Bruins where Lemieux got so under Cam Neely’s skin that he just lost it and went after Claude who just turtled on the ice to make sure he didnt draw a penalty himself. Claude got picked on a bit for covering up on that play, but he knew that all he had to do was go near neely and he would have drawn a penalty himself.

Lets hope that this season we get at least 2 new moments, our 4th Cup, and Marty breaking the shutout record.

by pepe22 on Jul 25, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

VVII

I was at work – my brother was at the game – and I kept checking the score on nhl.com – unable to stifle the urgent sense of anticipation inside me – so I knew they won. When I got home, game taped and ready to go, my brother told me of his experience and how he cried tears of joy when the game was over. Stubborn as I am, I thought, “I won’t cry, it’s just another win, just another hockey game.” Lo and behold, with 19 minutes of play completed in the third period, there I was standing in my living room, applauding along with the audience for the accomplishment i had just witnessed… bawling… crying my damned eyes out.

I became a hockey fan, as well as a Devils fan in 2001. I watched the team lose in the Stanley Cup finals… I watched Scott Stevens raise Lord Stanley’s prized trophy over his head in victory in 2003… but I never cried like I did before this.

Saint Marty’s 552nd win was not the best game I saw all season… it was the best game I’ve ever watched.

by jozac21 on Jul 26, 2009 4:22 AM EDT reply actions

552 and Clemenson

St. Marty’s Day was great. One of the top regular season games in Devils history.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN9JmAQDjp8

But I have to include the play by Scott Clemenson last season filling in for Marty. He kept the Devils in it last season more than any other injury replacement (since it was more than any other injury).

by dyhrdmet on Jul 26, 2009 7:55 AM EDT reply actions

march 17, 2009

BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE.!
i skipped volleyball to attend this game and im sooooo glad i did
St Marty’s day was the best game i have ever watched in the 8 years i’ve been an obsessive fan of the devils and hockey in general.
i have never lost from screaming at the top of my lungs before this game.

by v0lleyballstar93 on Jul 26, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

While I’m not surprised, I’m glad that I’m not alone in thinking 3/17/09 was such a massive day in Devils history.

But does anyone else have some favorite memories from last season? Scott Clemmensen’s fill-in work makes some sense, though it wasn’t entirely all on him as Kevin Weekes did his part too.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jul 26, 2009 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

Walking towards the parade in NYC that day, I saw a group of Devils fans whooping it up hours before the game and I joined in. I had a feeling this was the start of magic to come.

Oh, and my avatar pic was taken on that same day!

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Jul 26, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions