Highway to Hell...New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes

Ah, New Jersey…the Garden State. I keep looking for this garden and I’ve yet to see it. Granted I’ve only been through New Jersey or in Newark, so I guess it’s not fair to call it a burned out shit hole. Jersey has 2 things going for it:
1. You can see New York from it.
2. The New Jersey Devils.

You can guess what we were there for. We stayed in Jersey City and the hotel was very nice. It was the Hyatt on the Hudson. We had a great view of the beautiful Hudson River. We did have a room near the corner though and we could see New York looking one way and Lady Liberty the other way.

The city that never sleeps. One of the views from our window.



Lady Liberty in the other view





I of course couldn't go see my beloved New Jersey Devils without signs! I made them at home and rolled them up inside of a wrapping paper tube so they wouldn't get crushed in my luggage.

For my former Thrasher, Niclas Havelid I had this sign. I'm not sure if he saw it or not, I couldn't tell. :( Johnny Oduya saw it though. The Swedish probably caught his eye. I loved being able to have a Thrashers sign in the Rock.



And, for my Marty I made this. He loved it! He totally did. I could absolutely tell...absolutely.




Me and Shauna at The Rock waiting for warm ups. Damn we are cute.

And there he is...the God of the Pipes. Of course you know this is going to be a "Welcome to the Marty Brodeur Show" post. He's looking at my sign.

Marty smiling...probably about my sign.

Warming up

Clarkson: Hey man, welcome to the Devils.

Weekes: Dude, it's me Kevin. I've been here.

Clarkson: Kevin...Kevin...not ringing a bell.

Weekes: I'm the back-up goalie.

Clarkson: No, we sent Clemmerson back to Lowell.

Weekes: *sigh*

Lycka Till Niclas! I hope you do well with the Devils.

Captain Langenbruner

More Marty!

Trainer: Hey you have a fan over there.

Marty: Yep.

Trainer: Nice sign. Wow she came all the way from Atlanta to see you.

Marty: Yep. She rocks. She made me a sign when I was in Atlanta in October and got my 97th shutout. She sent me a bitchin' get well card, too.

Trainer: She's kind of cute, too.

Marty: Yeah, she pretty much rocks.

Marty doing his stretches. Looks like something I'd have in my basement to trap goalies.

Don't worry, Marty! I'm still here.

"Dear God, please let these lazy bastards get off of their ass and play as well in front of me as they did for Clemmer. Thank you. Amen. Please. I'm sorry about the sister in law thing."

Eric Staal stretching. Eric probably thinks I'm stalking him, I've seen him five times this season. You have no worries Eric, I'm stalking other things on this sheet of ice.

Clarkson

Awwwww, it's Shanny. All of the ladies love Shanny. Except Shauna who calls him Oldmanahan.

Marty doing his Smooth Criminal pose.

Warming up Weekes...to do what exactly?

You can NEVER have enough Clarkson

Let the game begin! The opening chords of AC/DC's "Hell's Bell" started up and we lost our mind.

Marty after the Star Spangled Banner

SO EXCITED

SO EXCITED

SO EXCITED

I got the kiss! Kind of an awkward shot, but you can totally see it. Marty has his children's initials on the back of his mask and he kisses them before every game. Awwwwwww.

The Rock is a phenomenally beautiful brand new arena with state of the arts electronics and other features. Unfortunately their glass looks like someone threw up on it and the protective net looks like that stuff they make the bags out of that oranges are sold in. Not the easiest to shoot through.

Marty waiting for his crease to be cleaned.

Action. Not bad seats, not great for pics though.

NJ Devil!!!

Marty being fantastical.

Cam Ward. Wardo had a pretty good night, too.

A fight down in front of Marty.

The ref separating the two trouble makers.

Face off by Marty.

More discussions.

I don't know what Marty is looking at, but boy he doesn't like it. I had the same look on my face while riding the PATH through Newark.

Marty: Geez, do you think you guys could wake up and score some goals. I know I'm the greatest goalie that ever lived, but what more can I do.

Mottau: Sorry Marty.

Marty: You boys need to light a fire under it. Play like you did for Clemmer.

Mottau: We are trying.

Marty: No you....you know what, never mind. Next face off you shoot me the puck and I'll freaking score.

*waves* Here I am Marty!! Over here!

Guess that talk with Mottau didn't help. They scored on Marty with minutes left in the game. A disgusted Marty pulls himself up.

Poor Marty!!

That's it! It was so much fun even though we lost. I had been to The Rock before, but not with Marty there. It was so awesome to see him in his "house."

Next stop Philadelphia! Cheesesteaks, historical monuments and Flyers, woot woot!