At the time, I thought Marty was just psyching up himself and his team after a tough loss when he pitched his little fit along the boards. But even then there was this little niggling doubt that kept whispering: “When did he ever do anything like that before? He’s Mr. Supercool under pressure, isn’t he? How come he’s not wearing that little smile with that twinkle in his eyes that lets the opposition know he’s not amused by all this and there won’t be anymore Mr. Nice Guy? And was that an act? Are you sure? Cuz if he really did lose it…”.

And amazingly it would have been OK, I think, and they would have been fine…but then he flat out blew TWO even-strength goals AT HOME in a GAME SEVEN in a span of 48 SECONDS starting with a BUCK TWENTY TO PLAY, allowing a come from behind win by the ‘Canes after the Devils had had the lead since the 8:47 mark of the second period.

Hey, they were good shots. But TWO GOALS FARSIDE IN 48 SECONDS WITH LESS THAN TWO TO PLAY AT HOME IN THE SEVENTH GAME? FROM THE OUTSIDE?

Of course I know that Marty Brodeur will lead the Devils to a 100+ point season and backstop the Canadians to a gold. I know that.

But this niggling doubt keeps whispering…

Mind you, it pretty much SHOUTS when it hears the name “Lemaire”…