New Jersey Devils: Brian Boyle’s Story Keeps Getting Better
By Nick Villano
Brian Boyle scored his first career hat trick against the Pittsburgh Penguins on their Hockey Fights Cancer night. His story since coming to the New Jersey Devils has been a magical one.
Whenever Brian Boyle’s story is one that’s so improbable, if it wasn’t true it would seem impossible. This guy fights chronic myeloid leukemia, rarely misses a game after he returns, and contributes at a high clip to start his first season with the New Jersey Devils.
There were so many moments that were just amazing. None bigger than his performance on the Devils Hockey Fights Cancer night. He walked up on the net last November, and put the puck past Jacob Markstrom for the go-ahead goal. It was his second goal of that season, and it caused most of the NHL community to get up and cheer.
As improbable as it is for a fourth liner to score on a given night, then how improbable was what happened last night?
Boyle went into Pittsburgh just over a week away from his remission announcement. We just learned his fight against cancer is over for now. All his medical records show the cancer is in remission. Then, on his next Hockey Fights Cancer night, he scores his first career hat trick.
It was the most Brian Boyle hat trick as well. The first goal wasn’t even given to him at first. We thought it was a rocket off the stick of Ben Lovejoy, but we saw on the replay that Boyle tipped the puck in. On the second goal, Boyle once again tipped the puck in off a Kyle Palmieri shot. For his final goal of the night. Boyle took a one-time pass off the stick of Taylor Hall.
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However he scored the goals, the fact that he stepped up in this way on his special night just adds to his amazing story. It seems like Boyle has hit the ceiling for this amazing run, but he continues to outdo himself.
We can’t wait to see what’s next in Boyle’s story. It’s literally the most inspirational story in the four major sports. Can we think of something better? Maybe if Ryan Shazier actually returns to the football field? Boyle is not only back from his cancer fight, but he’s having one of the best seasons of his career. He’s on pace for a 40-goal season. Obviously, that’s skewed the day after a hat trick, but even if Boyle can score 25 this season it would be a career high.
Boyle is the best thing about hockey right now. While the NHL conversation is forced to talk about domestic abusers and fired coaches, we have this story to pick us up. This gives up hope every single time Boyle takes the ice.