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November 12, 2002
WORSHIPPING THE DEVIL IN JERSEY
By Matt Petersen
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NEW JERSEY -- The Garden State stop would be our first
road block since the rains would continue to dump on
us and there wouldn’t be adequate cover in sight of
the entire Meadowlands complex to shoot our film. We
tried to weasel our way into a box office promenade to
talk to fans, but the assistant to the Assistant GM
told us that not only did he not want us shooting in
the promenade, he didn’t even want us shooting
anywhere on the grounds. Thanks, man.
Oh well, we tried getting some of New Jersey’s
faithful to talk a little Devil hockey with us, but
nobody wanted to stand around in Hurricane East
Rutherford and talk to us schmucks. I can’t say I
blame them. Even the crazy barechested fans with horns
and red face paint had a hurried jog going into the
building, so before long, we decided to do the same.
With a sizable puddle building in my left shoe and the
guys a little downtrodden, we headed into the
Continental Airlines Arena to get warm where we swore
that we wouldn’t let the cold reception get to us.
We made our way inside and everything went well for
awhile until the fans, most specifically the kids,
began cheering. Let’s just say that I’ve never been so
horrified. The chant loud and long, “Let’s Go Devils,
Let’s Go Devils” over and over, and they do it with
the coldest, meanest stare these eyes have ever seen.
Anyhow, the game went real well, and we saw a good one
between a perennial power (New Jersey) and a perennial
laugher (Anaheim). After jumping out to 2-0 lead into
the third period, the Devil put two in the back of the
net within minutes of each other in the waning moments
to put the thing into OT. When Scott Gomez scored the
equalizer, the fans went from somewhat listless, to
freakey “Devil Worshiper” in mere seconds. In OT,
ex-Dallas Star Jamie Langenbrunner put in the game
winner and the sell-out crowd (not too many had left
early) jumped for joy in unison.
The game ended and it was too bad because we were
still feeling a little traumatized from the harsh
weather. None of us were happy to get poured on again,
and the water had barely drained from my left shoe.
Damn this nasty weather. On top of everything, it was
the fifth game out of our six games in seven days, and
it felt odd to say, but we were looking for a little
break from hockey. To catch our breath, do some
laundry, get some sleep. You know, the essentials.
But for the most part, Jersey was like a sold out
Springsteen show at the Meadowlands, and we were happy
to see a good squad like the Devils take care of a win
on home ice. Even if the fans here are a little, dare
I say it, dark. Now we’re off to the U.S. Capital
where the rain doesn’t stop...
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Game #17 11/12/02
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