Yahoo Sports Devils' Brodeur Backstops Team to First Preseason Victory
NEWARK, N.J. -- While the New Jersey Devils are overseas in Prague, Czechia, Utica Comets head coach Kevin Dineen stood behind the bench at Prudential Center for the organization's fifth preseason game against the New York Rangers.
A lineup headlined by Brain Halonen, Chase Stillman, and Daniil Misyul took the ice as the following lineup was utilized.
Mike Hardman - Justin Dowling - Kevin Labanc
Max Willman - Ryan Schmelzer - Brian Halonen
Xavier Parent - Filip Engaras - Chase Stillman
Samuel Laberge - Jack Malone - Nathan Lagare
Jakub Zboril - Daniil Misyul
Topias Vilen - Mikael Diotte
Will MacKinnon - Andy Welinski
Jeremy Brodeur
Yes, you read that correctly. The son of legendary Devil Martin Brodeur suited up for Monday night's game against the Rangers, playing all three periods.
The 27-year-old made 29 saves on 30 shots, backstopping his team to a 3-1 victory. It was the first preseason game New Jersey won this year.
BRODEUR SHUTS THE DOOR. pic.twitter.com/NJvHk4wLBY
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 1, 2024
The goaltender was less than two minutes away from a shutout before Rangers' forward Anton Blidh scored. His performance in the crease led to a brief "Brodeur" chant that echoed throughout the arena.
"It's pretty cool," Brodeur said to reporters. "I grew up playing my minor hockey here and watching (my dad) play, and it was special to get this opportunity. I'm excited that it went well."
"Nothing is given in this organization," Dineen said after the game. "Jeremy played some games for us last year in Utica, and we were really impressed with the way he stepped in. (...) We felt this was an appropriate game for Jeremy. My game plan was to play him for two periods, but the way he played, specifically at the end of the second period, I'm like, nope, we are going to ride him the whole way. Very happy for him."
Brian Halonen, Nathan Légaré, and Kevin Labanc scored for the Devils.
On Tuesday, New Jersey will travel to Madison Square Garden to conclude their back-to-back. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
