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Brodeur Makes History

By Patrick Trouve- Staff Writer

With the aid of some St. Patrick's Day luck, the New Jersey Devils' star net minder, Martin Brodeur, broke the NHL record for most wins ever by a goaltender on March 17.

Although the regular season victory over the young and talented Chicago Blackhawks may have been just another victory under Brodeur's belt, the win proved to hold far more weight than just another notch in the win column. The 3-2 Devils win in regulation against Chicago marked the record-breaking game for Brodeur, a 16-year NHL veteran, all with the Devils. Number 552 came with much excitement as Brodeur and the rest of the New Jersey squad was able to celebrate the astonishing feat in front of the home town fans at the Prudential Center, all of whom anxiously anticipated Brodeur's monumental accomplishment.

Nine games previously, Brodeur had come off of a left bicep injury that had left him out of commission since November. Well rested, yet out of NHL game play for over four months, Brodeur returned to the ice winning the necessary eight of the next nine games to surpass his childhood idol, Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy, for most regular season wins ever by a goalie.

The 36-year-old Brodeur, with his unrivaled success, will be permitted the chance to lead his New Jersey Devils in the quest for the Stanley Cup in the 2009 NHL playoffs. Although this year's NHL champion is yet to be seen, Brodeur can sit amongst NHL greats regardless, donning his numerous awards including 4 Vezina Trophies for the best goaltender of the year and an Olympic Gold Medal for Canada in 2002.

Brodeur will keep with him the actual goal net from his victory, which he ceremoniously cut down after the win with help from some of his teammates.