| 23 May 2012
The Devils are one win away from a date with the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals. After coming out quick and early, scoring 3 goals within the first 10 minutes of the game, New York "rallied" back, scoring & knotting up the game after 3 un answered goals. Two of the goals, questionable, as well as MANY calls in general, throughout, for BOTH teams. A blatent missed call on Callahan when he hi-sticked Zubrus in the face, drawing blood. How in Gods name THAT wasnt a penalty, is beyond me. While on the topic of Callahan, his 'goal', and I quote the word 'goal' because it was a real big turning point in the game. What most will believe was a kicking motion, the referee's thought otherwise. I can only begin to imagine how many fans were at home screaming at their television sets when the goal was allowed. Captain Cally's goal was the lone goal scored in the middle period, a mere 32 seconds in, would bring the Rangers to within one of the Devs.
The scoring for the two teams would be kicked off early, and FREQUENTLY in the first period. Goals by Baby Gio, Elias, & Zajac would lead the way for New Jersey to take this game by the reigns. Assists from Mark Fayne, Steven Bernier, Adam Henrique, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise & Bryce Salvador would add insult to injury early on for the Devils' stampede over the Rags until Brandon Prust squeeked one under the stretched out arm of Brodeur on the breakaway with Zidlicky trailing behind, laying out for the back check attempt. Prust's first goal of the series comes in his first game since serving his one-game suspension which he was dealt after a Game 3 incident with Anton Volchenkov; Prust's marker was scored 15:41 in the 1st period assisted by Ruslan Fedotenko & Derek Stepan. The only penalty of the period was assessed to Fayne, 10:08 through the first twenty for boarding.
The second period would begin the prelude to the nightmare. An early tally by the Rangers captain would look as though the force of momentum would slip into New York's hands. The "Marty" chants reigned down from the nosebleeds of MSG, a haunting sound to the ear of the Devils' faithful, even when we were still up by a goal. The Garden was loud... REAL loud. In wake of Callahan's goal, the penalty parade would commence. Penalties are as follows:
| 03:12 | NJD | DAINIUS ZUBRUS : HOOKING - 2 MIN |
| 07:19 | NYR | BRANDON PRUST : SLASHING - 2 MIN |
| 09:32 | NJD | PETER HARROLD : ROUGHING - 2 MIN |
| 09:32 | NYR | BRANDON PRUST : UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - 2 MIN |
| 15:51 | NYR | RUSLAN FEDOTENK: BOARDING - 2 MIN |
As for the penalties, and goals, there'd be no more, until the third...
Three more goals would hit the back of the net in the closing period, one for New York, TWO, for New Jersey! An awkward shot from the side of the cage from the nearly invisible Marian Gaborik chipped one towards the front of Marty's cage. The puck managed to trickle its way in behind Brodeur where he'd cover it up on the goal line, only to get poke checked practically into his net, allowing the puck to dance its way out from under Marty's mitt and over the goal line. 3-3 the score, EARLY, in the third period. As time went on and chances went up and down the ice for both teams, the tension continued to boil, the stress increased, and the time decreased. After a chip into the New York zone, and a terrific forecheck by Ilya Kovalchuk, would lead to a loose puck in the corner only to get scooped up by the youngster, Stephen Gionta, who sent a pass across the crease of the Queen to a driving Ryan Carter who drilled the wrister through the arm of Lundqvist to put New Jersey on top once again, 15:36 into the 3rd period. Carter's goal was clutch. In his own words, "The biggest goal of my career.", and boy oh boy, was it ever... The Devs would cap off the night and put the nail in the coffin with 32 seconds left, the empty netter for the Captain. Zach Parise, his 7th of the playoffs would put New Jersey up by 2 in the waining seconds of the game.
A pathetic number of shots, lead to one helluva victory for the Devils. 16 shots faced for Lundqvist, 4 goals allowed, leaving him with a .750% save percentage on the evening would hit New York where it hurt... in the loss column. The New Jersey Devils have pushed the New York Rangers to the brink of elimination returning home Friday night.
3-5 Final
New Jersey's win in The Garden gives them the 3 games to 2 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals series. One more win for New Jersey will bring them to their first apperance in the Stanley Cup Finals since 2003, and 5th time in franchise history. Be sure to check out our "RWTD" app for iPhone & Android! As for social networking, we have our outlets as well! Follow us on twitter at: @RWTDblog@DEVIN88MATTERA, @RealScottRobb and @Rvaidya33. Along with twitter, be sure to check out our facebook page or find us on Instagram, "rwtdblog". Be sure to hashtag #RWTD ! From all of us here on Running With The Devils, Im Devin Mattera, you stay classy Devils Fans!
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