A Bittersweet Ordeal

With the conclusion of yesterday’s exhilarating gold medal outcome between Team Canada and USA, it has drawn a conclusion to the 2010 Olympic games, which will resume four years from now in Sochi, Russia. Having said that, the 2010 Olympics have given us an entertaining and interesting two weeks of events in men’s ice hockey, some of which could potentially affect the team and players on the New Jersey Devils. First, let me extend my congratulations to Team Canada on their 3-2 overtime victory yesterday afternoon. Overall, it was an exciting game that I personally felt neither team deserved to lose. After being dismissed of having any chance to capture a medal going into the 2010 games, Team USA returns home with a respectable silver and may have critics think twice of writing them off in the manner they were this year, in the future.

Overall, the Olympics left me with a bittersweet taste, at least in my eyes. Aside from the momentous run that earned Team USA a silver medal and the emotional game of extremes they partook in yesterday, the events that transpired led to such outcomes that may be of relevance to the Devils. Last Sunday may have been the last time we will see future hall of fame goaltender Martin Brodeur represent his country in net after he and his team came short in a stunning 5-3 loss to Team USA. Brodeur, who has seemingly struggled with his annual workload in the weeks prior to the Olympic break, rode the bench as teammate Roberto Luongo maintained stellar net minding and helped lead Canada to their second gold medal in eight years.

For those that avidly follow the Devils, the fact Brodeur is and will always be the top dog in Jersey is just as true as water is wet. Marty undoubtedly has a sizable ego and tends to show it in unfavorable situations to him or when he’s put into question on any aspects of his game. Having said that, it’s something fans and probably coaches and teammates willingly overlook as his continual elite play in net compensates any of his alleged negatives. After stumbling into the Olympic break, what became of Marty during the tournament has a set of major pros and cons to consider. While he only played in two games and got a weeks worth of rest that he arguably needed more than anything, it’s how this came to be that gives me reason for concern.

Brodeur has had his share of discouraging obstacles throughout his career, unlike any other player and in recent times. When you consider how he was a focus of blame for the Devil’s early exit in last year’s playoffs and how he’s been pulled from games more frequently this year than in season’s past doesn’t appear to have significantly affected his confidence to the point where it’s shown in his play. While I’m sure Marty’s felt discouraged in the past, could this recent occurrence bare a different effect on him? After giving up five goals and playing a reckless game in Team Canada’s 5-3 loss to the United States last Sunday, just as many people pinpointed Brodeur as the culprit behind the stunning upset as there were that tried to make excuses for him or insisted the entire team let themselves down. Along with not making a start the rest of the tournament, it was clear when Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock announced the team was going with Roberto Luongo as their starter, he relinquished the reins from Brodeur that Luongo gracefully inherited.

Physically, Brodeur could have benefited from the week of rest, but I’m wondering how his forceful step aside affected him mentally and emotionally. I’m sure Marty acknowledges the likeliness that this may very much be the last Olympics he’ll participate in and despite capturing another gold medal, how his role rapidly dwindled and losing what may be the last game he’ll ever get to represent his country in net might not have been what Brodeur expected two weeks ago. While the past indicates Marty’s had a strong showing after every Olympics he’s been in, could his treatment in what may be his last Olympics be the ultimate blow to his confidence, or serve as a reality check? It’s clear that by going with Luongo, Team Canada said without words they lost most of the confidence they had in Brodeur being their top goaltender, who is someone that thinks they’re capable of handling any type of situation or game.

In recent years, the formula of Brodeur manning his annual regular season workload, picking up slack for the team’s weaknesses and voids, and spearheading the Devil’s charge into the playoffs has proved ineffective. Despite this unaltered outcome, Marty and the different faces that have coached him in that time appear to have been un-phased by the evident reality Brodeur can’t maintain the title of being a one man show anymore…which doesn’t necessarily mean he still isn’t among the league’s elite goaltenders or can’t play a pivotal role in his team’s playoff efforts. Perhaps that’s what Brodeur, and whoever else is involved in dictating how to handle Brodeur’s role on the team have trouble realizing, perhaps not. Although a well-rested Brodeur’s NHL campaign will resume tomorrow night in San Jose, it remains to be seen if his happenings at the Olympic games have affected him for the better or worse.