New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers look to put tensions behind them -NHL Playoffs Update
With a number of events in Game 4 against New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Playoff Finals that made the matchup look like a wrestling match instead of a hockey game, both teams
are looking to put those tensions behind them and move on.
The incident that was definitely the highlight of the contest involved two players that you would normally not expect to hear in somewhat of a brawl, Rangers’ Mike Rupp and Devils’ veteran goalie, Martin Brodeur.
After smashing into a rookie Devils’ defenseman, Mike Rupp came around the net and let a punch loose on Brodeur’s chest, a move which certainly startled the goalkeeper, but nevertheless, sparked a royal rumble between the two teams.
Rupp was given a game misconduct and ejected from the game, but Brodeur is ready to put that incident behind him for good because according to him, it is playoff time and everyone is tensed.
"It's all forgotten. It's the playoffs," Brodeur said. "I think you need to put everything in check, and what happened in one game usually doesn't carry in the other ones. But we know that it's going to be emotional. It's a hostile environment in the Garden.
So they're going to try to be a little more physical the way they were late in the game there, and we have to do what we do and not worry about anything else, and just go in there and win the hockey game."
When asked whether this could lead to further tensions between the team come the crucial Game 5 competition, Mike Rupp termed it something to be for that time only and not any grudge against specific players.
"I don't feel like it's anything I need to let go or the team needs to let go," Rupp said.
New Jersey Devils’ captain, Zach Parise, really shined in Game 4, ultimately giving his team the win. He also came out to announce that the dirty play will not be something they do regularly.
Game 5 is set to kick off on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at the Madison Square Garden in New York.
Tags: