Devils Win Eighth Straight
by: Mark Krulish | Special To NY Sports Day | Thursday, December 6, 2007
NEWARK, NJ - The New Jersey Devils won their eighth game in a row Wednesday night in Newark, doing it in dramatic fashion.
The Boston Bruins came out firing on all cyclinders, converting three times in the first period. Goals by Zdeno Chara, Glen Murray and Dennis Wideman elicited boos from the crowd as the opening frame ended. The crowd had little to cheer about other than Arron Asham scoring a takedown in a spirited scrap with Jeremy Reich.
Once again, the Devils were equal to the task, not crumbling in the face of adversity. "We knew that the first period was gross," Zach Parise said to the press in Newark. "There was no panic. It was a matter of waking up. We weren't out of the game. It shows the difference between the team now and when the streak started. We're more resilient and it's fun to win."
Patrik Elias started the comeback seven minutes into the second period, tipping a shot from Brian Gionta into the net.
Zach Parise added another goal, this one on the power play. The Devils kept excellent pressure on the Bruins, trapping them in their own end the entire time until Parise slipped a shot past Tim Thomas to cut the deficit to 3-2.
New Jersey nearly scored the tying goal in the closing minutes of the second period as Parise was robbed by Thomas on a one-time pass from Elias.
Ultimately, Parise would not be denied. He scored with six minutes remaining in regulation. Sheldon Brookbank’s shot from the point was re-directed by Parise. The goal went to video review to see if Parise tipped the puck with a high-stick. The goal was correctly confirmed and the game was tied, whipping the 14,000 fans at The Rock into a frenzy.
Late in the game, Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas had to leave the game after landing awkwardly, making an excellent save on a deflection. Rookie goalie Tukkaa Rask would have to come into the game.
Rask was put in a tough position and the Devils took advantage. Elias capped off the wild comeback taking a drop-pass from Parise and firing a shot through a screen and past Rask with 1:44 remaining in the overtime session. "You wouldn't want to be in his position," Elias said to reporters in Newark. "It's tough for a goalie. We knew right away we wanted to test him. He couldn't see that shot with a screen in front of him."
Notes: Jay Pandolfo once again missed the game because of a groin injury. Rookie defenseman Sheldon Brookbank picked up his first two career points assisting on both the equalizer and game-winning goals. Jamie Langenbrunner was named team captain and wore the “C” for the first time tonight. Parise now has 17 points during the Devils eight-game winning streak. He leads the team in all offensive categories with 14 goals, 18 assists and 32 points in 27 games.
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