With the score at 3-2 for the Devils with just a few minutes left, I was pretty sure this was a done deal.  I started to think about how the team would do in the next round and I even muted it and started listening to my iPod.  I was surprised, however, to look up with just about 90 seconds left in the game to see things heating up.  I quickly unmuted it just in time to see a crazy good place that ended with Jussi Jokinen beating the Devils’ star goaltender, Martin Brodeur.  I couldn’t believe what I had just seen!  The Hurricanes had tied the game with just over a minute left in Game 7!

I took a swig from my water bottle and got composed.  I figured I would call my son down to watch overtime with me in the basement.  I seriously almost wiped out on the treadmill when the Canes scored AGAIN with about half a minute left in the game.  You could see the shocked Devils fans filing out of the arena and I can’t even imagine how the team felt. 

I don’t know what happened but that was one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen in all my time as a hockey fan.  I had wanted the Devils to win but after seeing the determination of the Carolina Hurricanes (particularly Tim Gleason), it’s hard not to deny that they deserved to win. 

The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Boston Bruins for Game 1 of the semi-finals this Friday.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat