[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S9189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS

 Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I rise today with great pleasure 
to congratulate New Jersey's very own Devils. As you may know, the New 
Jersey Devils have defeated the Detroit Red Wings to become the Stanley 
Cup Champions of the National Hockey League. This past Saturday night 
at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, NJ, the Devils concluded 
their courageous quest for the Stanley Cup with a 5 to 2 victory to 
sweep the four-game series.
  The New Jersey Devils may not have superstar players like Detroit. 
However, it is clear that through their classic gritty team play and a 
foundation of discipline, unity, and hard work, they overcame all 
adversity to achieve their ultimate goal. After last year's heart-
breaking exit from the playoffs at the hands of the New York Rangers, 
this year's team forged through the playoffs with a vengeance to 
complete their mission.
  New Jersey's key players came through in the playoffs to inspire 
their team with clutch performances. Although it was forward Claude 
Lemieux who took the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player 
throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs, there were a host of other heroes 
without whom the Devils would never have made it as far as they did. 
Captain and defenseman Scott Stevens, who shut down the opposition's 
superstars, goaltender Martin Brodeur, the second-year phenom who has 
emerged as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, and native New 
Jerseyan Jim Dowd from Brick, who scored a clutch goal to win game two, 
are just a few examples.
  The Devils played ultimate team hockey in winning the Stanley Cup. 
Their now infamous neutral-zone trap defensive system put the Red Wings 
in a stranglehold tighter than any octopi their fans could throw onto 
the ice.
  In closing, Mr. President, I would like to once again offer 
congratulations to our Devils. Success in the professional sports 
arena, like many other endeavors, requires a great deal of dedication, 
hard work, and courage. And that is our New Jersey Devils. I am very 
proud to have them represent our State.


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