Devils beat Flyers in a record setting night

The New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 last night. Philadelphia opened the score early in the game with a goal by Jeff Carter. Langenbrunner tied it with a power play goal before the end of the first period.

Simon Gagne scored to give the Flyers the lead and Sergei Brylin added an other power play goal to tie the game at 2-2. Jersey Jim (Dowd) scored the game winner on a shorthanded goal at 8:46 of the third.


Gomez returned after missing two games with a bruised thigh. He played over 22 minutes.

The win last night gave Martin Brodeur 48 wins this season. He now owns the record for most wins in the regular season. He did it in Philadelphia where Bernie Parent played most of his career and won two Stanley Cups for the Flyers. In this wild race, Bernie Parent could see another goalie tying and beating his record. Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks has 46 wins with two games remaining.

Win the win last night, the Devils also set a new franchise record with their 49th victory of the season. It is ironic that this record comes in a season that saw Lou Lamoriello fire his head coach. The challenge for Lamoriello is indeed pretty big, heading into the post-season with such a regular season record.

Bernie Parent, whose attitude is clearly full of class. Not only has he been rooting for Brodeur and Luongo to break the record but he apparently sent a note to Martin Brodeur. He was the first to say that if his record was broken there shouldn't be a mention indicating he did it in a shorter season and in a time there was no shootout wins. Obviously the records are hard to compare because of that matter and Bernie Parent's record as well as Brodeur's are clearly impressive.


Brian Gionta (sore foot) didn't play because he wouldn't have been a 100%.

Although he accompanied the team to Philadelphia, Richard Matvichuk didn't play last night. He hopes to play on Sunday so he can have a game under his belt before the playoffs.


Apparently, Flyers' fans attending the game booed Brodeur when he was introduced as the first star of the game. The Flyers made no acknowledgment of the record which is a bit sad. Even if the record goes to a bitter rival, you can at least acknowledge it. That just shows the lack of respect some people can have even as they are witnessing a game's great making history. As far as the Flyers are concerned, I must acknowledge them because this year they are history.

They have two games remaining to avoid having the worse franchise record for points. They have 54 points this season for dead last in the league while they scored 58-point in 1969-70.


"This is his year, he's played fantastic hockey. It couldn't have happened to a more fantastic individual."
Bernie Parent on Martin Brodeur after the Devils set a new record for wins in the regular season.
Source: Star Ledger