Devils Give Daneyko Night To Remember

Maybe the Devils should retire more numbers. Seven weeks after posting a convincing 3-0 win during Scott Stevens Night, they turned back the clock and got a much needed boost from seeing Ken Daneyko's No. 3 go up to the rafters. After an emotional ceremony which lasted 41 minutes, the Devils defeated the Bruins 4-2 in front of a packed house at Continental Airlines Arena Friday night.

Inspired by a riveting speech which lasted 12 minutes by the man known to many as Mr. Devil, the Devils fed off the energy and jumped on Boston from the game's first shift. It was only fitting that Scott Gomez would score the first goal 44 seconds into the game a night removed from suffering a cornea abrasion in a stinging loss at Atlanta. Daneyko, who played his entire 20-year career with the Devils must've appreciated it. The franchise leader in games (1,283) and penalty minutes (over 2,500) was known for having four teeth knocked out and suiting up the next game over a decade ago.

When Brian Gionta scored a power play goal for his team-leading 39th off a Gomez faceoff win at 3:41, the rejuvenated Devils led by two.

Rookie Zach Parise scored for the second consecutive game to put them up three 11:31 into the second to chase Boston starter Andrew Raycroft. The '03-04 Calder winner allowed three goals on just 15 shots.

With the Devils firmly in control, the only question was whether backup goalie Scott Clemmensen would get the shutout. Making his first start since a 6-3 loss at Pittsburgh December 29, 2005, the former BC star was solid in making 25 saves. His shutout bid was broken up by Glen Murray with 54 seconds left in the second to cut it to 3-1.

But Paul Martin's fluke PPG from 120 feet out fooled Tim Thomas to restore order at 7:32. Brad Isbister tallied in the final minute for Boston to conclude the scoring.

It was Clemmensen's third win of the season. Ironically, his last one also came against Boston in a 5-4 shootout way back on October 29, 2005.

The win halted a three-game losing streak and moved the Devils into a sixth place tie with Tampa Bay. Both have 79 points with 12 games remaining. The victory also put them three points up on eighth place Atlanta and four ahead of ninth place Montreal.

What will be remembered most though is how the Devils honored one of their own. Emceed by FSNY broadcaster Mike "Doc" Emrick, they showed a two-minute video tribute highlighting Daneyko's career from start to finish. Included were images of Daneyko as an 18-year-old rookie, a shot of him missing four teeth, him scoring a big goal against the Stars in Game One of the 2000 Cup Finals along with holding the Cup in '95, '00 and '03. And finally celebrating his final victory with the fans.

After the tribute, the Devil organization showered Daneyko with luxurious gifts ranging from a driving iron to a brand new 2006 pickup truck. When current team owner Jeff Vanderbeek presented a crystal memento commemorating the special occasion, he nearly dropped it before hanging on. Never shy about dropping a one-liner, he sarcastically remarked, "That pretty well summed my career: fumbled it, but made a great recovery."

When he finally stepped up to the microphone, he was given a five-minute standing ovation. The popular Devil warrior reflected back on how as a kid he dreamed of making it to the NHL. He recalled the day his dream came true but pointed out that when informed that the Devils drafted him back in 1982, he had no idea where New Jersey was, drawing laughter from the capacity crowd.

"It didn't matter because I would have run 3,000 miles from Edmonton just to get an opportunity to play," he said.

During his well thought out speech, he was rained down with chants of "Dan-O, Dan-O" and "Lace'em up Dan-O."

He made sure to thank everyone including GM/Coach Lou Lamoriello, former coaches and teammates, late Devils owner John McMullen, family, fans and even trainers and dentists. Daneyko choked up when he spoke of McMullen. The former owner supported him during his battle with alcohol in 1997.

Daneyko also spoke of how the team overcame early struggles to become a playoff contender. He thanked former teammate and current Devils assistant John MacLean for getting them in the playoffs for the first time in 1988. MacLean's overtime winner at Chicago was the turning point for the Devils.

"I knew in my heart that one day we would turn it around and we'd do something special here."

As a three-time Stanley Cup winner who went out on top in his final game against Anaheim three years ago, it was a storybook finish to his career.

Before No. 3 went up, Martin Brodeur and Sergei Brylin had one more surprise. The only two active players left from all three Cup winners gave him his home jersey to put on one final time. Before his wife, two children, parents along with his brother and two sisters, Daneyko watched as his number took its proper place next to Stevens' No. 4.

It was a night he won't soon forget.