Brodeur…shutout…zzzz…huh?!?

by Brenna Solop

Usually when the words “Brodeur” and “shutout” are mentioned in the same sentence, it’s because Marty notched another one in the record books. But this time the door was shut on Brodeur – and the rest of his Devils – with the Islanders blanking New Jersey 4-0. Funny, I thought about going to the game but I had plans to visit a friend and her new baby, and I chose baby Alex. Thankfully, my friend was gracious enough to let me keep checking in on the score. Of course I thought I was imagining things, figuring I was high on Johnson’s baby shampoo (that soft baby hair is so addictive)…but there it was. The final score was 4-zip Isles.

I admit it. I’ve been a pessimist about this team all season long, and they’re doing lots of quirky things to prove me wrong. First there was Witt getting hit by the truck. How tough is Witt? Let’s see. Happy Gilmore continued to play after getting hit by a Volkswagon Beetle in the movies; Witt brushed himself off and played a few hours after meeting head on with a Yukon in reality. I’d say that’s pretty tough. While the wins didn’t start rolling in at that point, I think it gave the whole team a shot of grit.

Then there’s Monday’s victory, as well as the 6-0 blowout of Detroit, winning the shootout against Buffalo, Moulson’s emergence as a legit offensive force, Roloson’s water bottle source obviously being the Fountain of Youth, Rob Schremp’s hand-eye coordination. Have the Mets called his agent? Can he play centerfield? He not only scored a goal – I think he drove in two runs.

And the return of Rick DiPietro, Jr. Anyone who knows me knows I predicted you’d never see him play another game for the Islanders. I thought you’d see the Montauk Monster in net before DP. Oh well. This is why I never worked for the Psychic Friends Network. And he looks good to boot. I forgot how effective he is at chipping shots away sideways into the air to avoid rebounds. I forgot how aggressive he is at playing the puck. I forgot how much my acid reflux acts up when he leaves the crease.

The team seems to be running on all cylinders; now it just needs to be reflected in the standings. In a division with two consistent teams and two persistent teams, the Islanders will have to cash in a few more of these little miracles.